Artist:   Shane Yondee Hansen

Region: Perth, WA

Title:     Gnamma Holes

Size:      140 x 50 cm

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About Shane 

Shane Hansen, known as Yondee, is a Noongar man from Western Australia and currently residing in Perth. Born in 1964 in Dumbleyung, located approximately 270 km south of Perth, he has a profound connection to the Aboriginal term 'Dambeling,' denoting a large lake near his birthplace, the largest in southwest WA, and the stories associated with it, particularly those about the Wagal (rainbow snake), which he vividly recalls from his childhood visits.

Hansen's upbringing was infused with cultural teachings from his father, encompassing hunting techniques and visual artistry exemplified through sand drawings. At the age of around 10, his interactions with his aunties along the Swan River exposed him to the practice of gathering paper bark for their artistic endeavours, initiating his artistic tutelage under older relatives renowned for their paper bark paintings.

An adept and accomplished artist, Hansen is pioneering a distinctive approach involving sand and ochres to portray his people's ancestral narratives and legends. His repertoire also includes meticulously crafted figurative works reflecting aspects of mission life, hunting, and fauna. While his artistic presentations are abstract, they possess a distinct narrative essence. Hansen's creative pursuits are driven by a desire to preserve the traditions imparted by his grandfather, who transmitted stories and imagery through ground paintings. Hansen perceives the transition of these portrayals into sand paintings as a means of doing justice to their significance while introducing them to novel audiences.

About the artwork

Gnamma holes were crucial, naturally formed water tanks used by the Noongar Aboriginal people in the Swan River region and beyond for thousands of years, capturing rainwater runoff into rocky cavities to serve as a vital, protected water source. These holes were often covered to prevent evaporation and to provide escape routes for animals that fell in. Noongar artist Yondee Shane Hansen's paintings, which depict the stories of the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River), feature gnamma holes as essential elements of the landscape and culture.  

Yondee Shane Hansen's painting of the traditional Waterhole Dreaming is a powerful reminder of the natural beauty that surrounds us. The Gnamma Holes, which provide life-sustaining water to nearby animals, are a testament to the natural world's resilience and adaptability. Hansen's use of sand and bold colours in his art reflects his passion for conveying a simple yet impactful message. His dedication to his craft inspires all who seek to create beauty and meaning.