1961 - present

Walangari Karntawarra is an artist, Bondi resident and Aboriginal elder from the Central and Western Desert with family connections to the Arrernte, Luritja, Walpiri, Yankuntjatjarra, Pintubi and Alyawarre peoples. He describes his childhood as a traditional lifestyle. Today, he is also a dancer, musician, educator and public speaker. Walangari's family includes many esteemed artists including Albert Namatjira and Papunya Tula’s Clifford Possum and Paddy Carroll.

For more than 30 years, Walangari has painted Dreamtime Stories. These are known in his language as the Jukurrpa. He either inherited the Dreamtime Story or its living custodian gave him permission to paint it - like a copyright. He is a living custodian of the “Blue Lightning Dreaming”.

Walangari’s work has been exhibited widely overseas and has been presented in Bondi for over a decade. This includes exhibiting in the Bondi Pavilion Gallery, sand paintings and dance performances. He uses his art as a means of cross-cultural communication.

His sand paintings at Bondi Beach, for example, are exposed to the elements and allowed to gradually return to the earth - in keeping with the concept of impermanence. Audience participation in this sustainable form of Aboriginal living art is a way of cultural exchange.

He has also spoken about the importance of Aboriginal voices in the media.

“Forget Skippy - we are the defining face that Australia projects to the modern world … We need to take ownership of our cultural icons and utilize them to promote positive images of Aboriginality. The Dreamtime is an internationally recognized part of our identity. It is fantastic for people to hear about the stories of our heroes, magic and intrigue. Our desire to tell our stories propels us forward and Aboriginal-owned media are our modern Message Sticks … Our Aboriginal imagery and voice give a unique flavour to our identity as a nation. We are the First Peoples and as such we have a right and a responsibility to this land and all its peoples.”

Walangari is also passionate about showcasing indigenous culture through dance, storytelling, didgeridoo and song. “What I love most about my work is seeing the joy, wonder and amazement on people’s faces when they begin to experience First Nations’ cultures at their best.”

Courtesy Walangari Karntawarra.