JIMMY JIMBO JOHNSON - PURNULULU

JIMMYJIMBO JOHNSON 
PURNULULU,  2007
140 x 100 cm
synthetic polymer acrylic paint on linen
 
REGION
Warmun WA
 
PROVENANCE
Warmun Art Center, WA Cat No. WAC180/07
Private collection, NSW
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
 
STORY
In Purnululu, senior Gija artist Jimmy Jimbo Johnson paints the iconic beehive-like formations of the Bungle Bungle Range in the East Kimberley, known in Gija language as Purnululu. These distinctive domes—striped with bands of orange and black—have been shaped by wind and water over millions of years. But to Johnson and his ancestors, Purnululu is far more than a geological marvel; it is a deeply sacred place embedded with stories from the Ngarrangkarni (Dreaming).
 
With natural ochres sourced from Country, Johnson gives the work an earthy presence, grounding the canvas in the very land it represents. His bold forms and layered surfaces reflect both the grandeur and intimacy of the landscape—capturing not just the contours of the ranges, but also their spiritual resonance. For Gija people, Purnululu holds ancestral tracks and ceremonial significance. Through this painting, Johnson passes on that knowledge, preserving it visually for future generations. It stands as a tribute to Country, a record of identity, and a declaration of ongoing cultural connection.