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exhibition Betty Bundamurra | Wandjina's Assistant

From 8th to 22nd December 2018
  • OPENING 8th December 2018 2:00 - 4:00 pm 326 Oxford Street

Betty Bundamurra loves to paint! Her unique interpretations, prolific output and passion for storytelling characterize a practice that is driven by a deep connectedness with her natural environment and the embodied spirit forms of the Wandjina and the Kira Kiro.

Bundamurra began painting late in life, in 2009 at Kira Kiro Arts in Kalumburu, a small community of only 500 people established on the northern coast of Western Australia near Faraway Bay.  Situated on Kwini land, today three clan groups reside here as part of the Balangarri Native Title; Kwini, Wanambal and Gamberra. It is a 10-hour drive from Kununurra in the East Kimberley region on rough 4WD tracks. Only the most dedicated reach the end of the road and make it all the way to the community. The remoteness has protected Kalumburu from too many visitors and Bundamurra’s paintings depict the wildlife and the virtually untouched paradise where she lives.  However, as the arts worker at Kira Kiro Arts, Bundamurra encourages visitors to visit this remote and beautiful part of Australia, adding “three flights operate per week!”

Belonging to the Ngarinyin, Worrora and Wanambal Gamberra language groups, Bundamurra was born in the bush and then raised by nuns at the Kalmuburu Mission from the age of three when her mother passed away. She enjoyed going to school and learning to read and write. Today, she writes all her stories and with each painting the artist imparts an original narrative and character. Her stories and poems sometimes found written directly on the reverse of her paintings, particularly her works on paper, are as beautiful and inventive as her visual representations.

The artist’s subject matter is richly diverse and for her debut solo exhibition, the works presented in Wandjina’s Assistant are best categorised in two themes, with the first concerning the depiction of animals in their natural environment. These works are detailed renditions celebrating the Country the artist loves, joyfully painted with careful observation of the creatures she observes on fishing or camping trips on her Country. These creatures are also representations of Kwini Dreamtime stories and Kwini lore; parables for children and creation stories. Or like, The Whale - Wiliji, they are recent histories and contemporary anecdotes.

The second theme in Bundamurra’s work concerns the rich rock art endemic to her region; the Kira Kiro and the Wandjina or Wanilirri in Ngarinyin language. The Wandjina is the ancestral creator; the rainmaker and creator of cyclones and great floods, the protector of sacred sites and law grounds. Depicted with wide black eyes against a white, ghost-like face with a large halo, Wandjina can choose to punish people when they disobey the law by creating storms, cyclones and even denying water altogether.  Bundamurra recalls her uncle George Jomari’s important role as a Ngarinyin custodian: “His job was to regularly paint one Wandjina for the family.  If he didn’t there would be drought.”  As the source of all life, the Wandjina is therefore powerfully depicted with reverence and confidence.  They can be male or female and they have many pets and assistants and it is here the Kira Kiro spirits play an important role. They are the helpers or assistants of the Wandjina.  They teach people the law, how to hunt, share, protect and respect the land and sometimes they are fierce warriors. Bundamurra often paints these figures dancing and celebrating, either because spring has arrived and the Wandjina has watered the earth, or because people are following the laws correctly and they see their work is done.  

Kira Kiro figures are regularly painted by artists from Kalumburu; however, unlike the typical depiction of these figures by her peers or her ancestors on cave walls, Bundamurra’s spirits are multifarious, sometimes enlarged, exaggerated, with their limbs elongated and poetically distorted.  They are adorned with extravagant headwear, tassels and artefacts, seemingly outstretched and disproportionate yet perfectly balanced. They gather together, curiously poised and exquisitely painted with spirited imagination.  Bundamurra describes these spirits as creatures who float off the ground and have “little witches feet.” They live in her thoughts, come alive in her paintings and bring charm and humour to her stories for us to enjoy.

Betty is married to a Kwini man and has five children and 10 grandchildren. She dedicates her life to preserving the Kwini stories that she was taught by her elders and her husband. Through her arts practice Bundumurra continues the work of her ancestors and the work of the Kira Kiro.  Her unique and playful expressiveness, her joyful images, rich imagination and love for her Country radiates through her work. Her pieces announce her knowledge and respect for Kwini culture while also illuminating the humour of this fascinating artist.  

In Wandjina’s Assistant we gain an appreciation for the richness of this artist’s culture and spiritual life.  We are fortunate she has bestowed to us an enchanting and lively depiction of her place in the world.

 

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Spring is near by Betty Bundamurra
Spring is near -
Betty Bundamurra 9

140 x 80 cm
#17076
SOLD

Protecting the Land by Betty Bundamurra
Protecting the Land
Betty Bundamurra 9

100.5 x 114.0 cm
#17084 LOCATION: Bondi Beach
$3,500.00

Kira Kiro and other spirits by Betty Bundamurra
Kira Kiro and other spirits -
Betty Bundamurra 9

80 x 60 cm
#17079
SOLD

Celebrating the land	 by Betty Bundamurra
Celebrating the land
Betty Bundamurra 9

57.0 x 76.0 cm
#17056
SOLD

Sand Stone Bird and the Kira Kiro by Betty Bundamurra
Sand Stone Bird and the Kira Kiro -
Betty Bundamurra 9

60 x 60 cm
#17077
SOLD

Wandjina Rain Maker  by Betty Bundamurra
Wandjina Rain Maker
Betty Bundamurra 9

60.0 x 60.0 cm
#17078 LOCATION: Bondi Beach
$1,450.00

Black Water Goannas - Lawkeepers by Betty Bundamurra
Black Water Goannas - Lawkeepers -
Betty Bundamurra 9

56 x 76 cm
#17069 LOCATION: Bondi Beach
$1,250.00

Bogut Bogut  & Urial by Betty Bundamurra
Bogut Bogut & Urial -
Betty Bundamurra 9

56 x 76 cm
#17070
SOLD

Bush Possum by Betty Bundamurra
Bush Possum -
Betty Bundamurra 9

56 x 76 cm
#17071 LOCATION: Bondi Beach
$1,250.00

Water is Muddy by Betty Bundamurra
Water is Muddy -
Betty Bundamurra 9

56 x 76 cm
#17072 LOCATION: Bondi Beach
$1,250.00

How the Barramundi got its scales by Betty Bundamurra
How the Barramundi got its scales -
Betty Bundamurra 9

49 x 68 cm
#17073 LOCATION: Bondi Beach
$1,250.00

Wanjinas and their assistant warriors Kira Kiros by Betty Bundamurra
Wanjinas and their assistant warriors Kira Kiros -
Betty Bundamurra 9

58 x 38 cm
#17063
SOLD

The Whale - Wuliji by Betty Bundamurra
The Whale - Wuliji -
Betty Bundamurra 9

45 x 45 cm
#17074
SOLD

The Owl by Betty Bundamurra
The Owl -
Betty Bundamurra 9

45 x 45 cm
#17075
SOLD

Black Grass Wren (Nguni Nguni Jirri) by Betty Bundamurra
Black Grass Wren (Nguni Nguni Jirri) -
Betty Bundamurra 9

27 x 23 cm
#17058
SOLD

Stars by Betty Bundamurra
Stars
Betty Bundamurra 9

27.0 x 23.0 cm
#17060
SOLD

Bush Dogs - Orrolo (Dingo) by Betty Bundamurra
Bush Dogs - Orrolo (Dingo)
Betty Bundamurra 9

38.0 x 29.0 cm
#17064
SOLD

The Echidna - Gunnanji by Betty Bundamurra
The Echidna - Gunnanji -
Betty Bundamurra 9

38 x 29 cm
#17065
SOLD

The Night Herons -Diin by Betty Bundamurra
The Night Herons -Diin -
Betty Bundamurra 9

38 x 29 cm
#17066 LOCATION: Bondi Beach
$475.00

Wanjina - Wanalirri by Betty Bundamurra
Wanjina - Wanalirri - 2010
Betty Bundamurra 9

38.0 x 29.0 cm
#17067
SOLD

Dancing Gwions by Betty Bundamurra
Dancing Gwions -
Betty Bundamurra 9

38 x 29 cm
#17068
SOLD

Frilled Neck Lizard by Betty Bundamurra
Frilled Neck Lizard -
Betty Bundamurra 9

30 x 30 cm
#17081
SOLD

Kira Kiro warriors by Betty Bundamurra
Kira Kiro warriors -
Betty Bundamurra 9

30 x 30 cm
#17082
SOLD

Crabs (Narlu) by Betty Bundamurra
Crabs (Narlu) -
Betty Bundamurra 9

30 x 30 cm
#17083
SOLD

The Blue Tongue Lizard (Wanduwa Mulu) by Betty Bundamurra
The Blue Tongue Lizard (Wanduwa Mulu)
Betty Bundamurra 9

27 x 23 cm
#17057 LOCATION: Bondi Beach
$370.00

Stingrays	 by Betty Bundamurra
Stingrays -
Betty Bundamurra 9

27 x 23 cm
#17059 LOCATION: Bondi Beach
$370.00

Kangaroo by Betty Bundamurra
Kangaroo -
Betty Bundamurra 9

27 x 23 cm
#17061
SOLD

Sea Cow Dugong (Balguja) by Betty Bundamurra
Sea Cow Dugong (Balguja)
Betty Bundamurra 9

28.0 x 23.0 cm
#17062
SOLD

The Stork (Ngalingali) by Betty Bundamurra
The Stork (Ngalingali) -
Betty Bundamurra 9

25 x 25 cm
#17080
SOLD


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