
OUR WANDJINA:
1: BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Wandjina's are the most hauntingly beautiful examples of Indigenous rock art anywhere in the world. They are often found alongside and incorporated with Bradshaws or Gyorn Gyorn rock art which is unique to the Kimberley region of Western Australia and to only three tribes of Indigenous peoples from the area. Bradshaw figures known as Gyorn Gyorn were created by the Wandjinas and were the first humans on earth. They are the earliest descendants of the people from Wandjina culture. The Wandjina came to international prominence in the year 2000 when Donny Woolagoodja presented an installation the Wandjina "Namarali" at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics.
The Wandjinas which appear on rock art throughout the Kimberley region have been aged at around 15,000 years old, making the Wandjina art tradition arguably the oldest unbroken and continuing art trading in the world today. The Gyorn Gyorn have been aged to around 17,000 possibly 20,000 years old. These figures have created much controversy as many non Indigenous "experts" believe these figures to be pre-Indigenous, however there is no evidence to suggest that there was ever anybody in this area prior to contemporary Indigenous people.
For more information about Wandjina culture please read "Keeping the Wandjinas Fresh" by Donny Woolagoodja which explains the Wandjina culture from the point of view of the Wororra, Wunambal and Ngarinyin people and the Lalai.
Wandjina's are the most hauntingly beautiful examples of Indigenous rock art anywhere in the world. They are often found alongside and incorporated with Bradshaws or Gyorn Gyorn rock art which is unique to the Kimberley region of Western Australia and to only three tribes of Indigenous peoples from the area. Bradshaw figures known as Gyorn Gyorn were created by the Wandjinas and were the first humans on earth. They are the earliest descendants of the people from Wandjina culture. The Wandjina came to international prominence in the year 2000 when Donny Woolagoodja presented an installation the Wandjina "Namarali" at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics.
The Wandjinas which appear on rock art throughout the Kimberley region have been aged at around 15,000 years old, making the Wandjina art tradition arguably the oldest unbroken and continuing art trading in the world today. The Gyorn Gyorn have been aged to around 17,000 possibly 20,000 years old. These figures have created much controversy as many non Indigenous "experts" believe these figures to be pre-Indigenous, however there is no evidence to suggest that there was ever anybody in this area prior to contemporary Indigenous people.
For more information about Wandjina culture please read "Keeping the Wandjinas Fresh" by Donny Woolagoodja which explains the Wandjina culture from the point of view of the Wororra, Wunambal and Ngarinyin people and the Lalai.
2: ABOUT THE ARTIST
Regina Karadada lives and paints in Kalumburu with other famous Indigenous artists such as Lily Karadada and Kevin Waina. Kalumburu is at the top end of Wandjina country and Mowanjum is at the bottom end.
3: ITEM BEING AUCTIONED.
"Rimijimurra" has been painted with acrylics and ochre on quality primed canvas. It features the famous Wandjina Spirits. The composition is simply composed with a Wandjina figure which has the appearance of floating in space.
The Wandjina culture and beliefs are shared by only 3 tribes of Indigenous people who live in Kimberley region of Western Australia. Accomplished artists in the tradition number only about 20 making it the most significant and rarest Indigenous art tradition in Australia if not the world.Rimijiimurra is called the taker of things, he is the main Wandjina in the beliefs of the northerly group from the Wandjina country and he is said to steal things from the other Wandjinas, including wives. The main group of artists that depict Rimijimurra are from the Kalumburu community.
Regina Karadada lives and paints in Kalumburu with other famous Indigenous artists such as Lily Karadada and Kevin Waina. Kalumburu is at the top end of Wandjina country and Mowanjum is at the bottom end.
3: ITEM BEING AUCTIONED.
"Rimijimurra" has been painted with acrylics and ochre on quality primed canvas. It features the famous Wandjina Spirits. The composition is simply composed with a Wandjina figure which has the appearance of floating in space.
The Wandjina culture and beliefs are shared by only 3 tribes of Indigenous people who live in Kimberley region of Western Australia. Accomplished artists in the tradition number only about 20 making it the most significant and rarest Indigenous art tradition in Australia if not the world.Rimijiimurra is called the taker of things, he is the main Wandjina in the beliefs of the northerly group from the Wandjina country and he is said to steal things from the other Wandjinas, including wives. The main group of artists that depict Rimijimurra are from the Kalumburu community.