Wunambal Gaambera Art

I painted the Butcher Bird as it is the totem of my family surname, Karadada. We pronounce it as Kor-od-dod-dot, but in the white man’s way they say Karadada. This painting shows my identity, my family and my totem and reminds me where I come from.

About the artist: Lillian Karadada

I was born in Derby, Western Australia. I live in Kalumburu and work with Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation (WGAC) as the Administration Officer.

My Country is Gibulde on Wunambal Country, from my father’s side and Wapenbe on Gaambera Country from my mother’s side. I learnt painting from my mother and father. I watched my parents, family and elders paint, tell stories and continue cultural practices. They showed me how to do things the right and proper way.

I admire my father as he fought for our Country and Native Title. Sadly he was not here to hear about our people receiving Native Title in 2011. He was a Kimberley Land Council Executive Officer, a Director of WGAC and also a JP for the police. My mother is a Gaambera lady. She travelled to and from Truscott and Kalumburu when my eldest sister Regina was younger.  My two older brothers died in the World War 2 bombing.

I painted the Gwion dancers with the Wanjina (rain maker) because I was inspired by other Wunambal Gaambera artists painting them. I want to learn to paint many more like this.

Here I painted the “junba” (a dance where all people join and sing as we dance to our gods) – our old people’s quobery (corroboree). This junba tells the story that the Wanjina is our rainmaker. We look up to him as he is our knowledge and God. Our old people danced to express to the Wanjina how grateful and proud they were to receive his gifts no matter how little or big. We have to be grateful.

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