Hand-Painted Noongar Art

Artist: Christine Winmar

Region: Perth, WA

Size: 100 x 70 cm

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Christine Winmar is a Noongar woman, born in Midland, Western Australia, in 1965. Her skin name is ‘Allawah’, which is an Aboriginal term meaning "Stay here. " Christine received instruction in painting from her father, a distinguished artist and didgeridoo craftsman, who imparted many aspects and techniques of Noongar art that are evident in her current work. Subsequently, she began to experiment with various styles and techniques, bolstered by the support of her family and friends. Additionally, Christine spent several years in the Kimberley region, where she further honed her skills by integrating techniques utilised by Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.

 By 1997, Christine was selling her artworks through an Aboriginal art gallery in Perth. Her inaugural joint exhibition occurred shortly thereafter, in 2005, when she, alongside fellow artists Mingi May Barnes, Geoff Lindsey, and Tjinanginy, showcased their works in Perth and Cottesloe. 

 In 2009, Christine presented her work along with several other artists in the “Colours of Australia” exhibition held in both Perth and San Francisco.

 Christine engages with diverse media, including canvas, pottery, wood, and glass. She frequently uses dot techniques to create vibrant, colourful patterns.

The meanings behind her artwork

In Noongar culture of the South-West of Western Australia, the black cockatoo is far more than just a bird. It is a powerful spiritual presence and a cultural messenger that connects people, ancestors and Country. Its harsh, carrying call is often read as a warning or a reminder to pay attention to what is happening around you – in family, in community and on boodja (Country). For many Noongar families, a black cockatoo flying overhead or calling nearby can feel like a loved one or ancestor coming to visit, letting you know they are close.

Black cockatoos are closely tied to Noongar stories of the Nyitting (Dreaming), when people, birds and animals could shift between forms. Because of this, the bird is treated with respect, not only as wildlife but as kin and as a spirit being. It is often seen as moving along the same pathways as the Waugal (Rainbow Serpent), watching over forests, waterways and skies. This deep connection makes the black cockatoo a reminder of the ongoing presence of Old People and law on Noongar boodja.

As a forest and woodland bird, the black cockatoo depends on big old trees – marri, jarrah, tuart, banksia and others – for food and nesting hollows. In Noongar ways of seeing, the health of black cockatoos reflects the health of Country. Where these birds are strong and plentiful, the land is still giving life. When they begin to disappear, it signals damage: too much clearing, mining, drying of wetlands and loss of old trees. In this way, the black cockatoo has become a powerful symbol of caring for Country and protecting what is left of the old growth forests and waterways.

The black cockatoo also plays a role in Noongar seasonal knowledge. Noongar people read the movements and behaviour of birds as part of understanding the six seasons. The presence, calls and feeding patterns of black cockatoos can show where food is available, when certain plants are ready and when weather is changing. They are like a living calendar and weather report, carrying information that has guided people across Country for thousands of years.

The bird’s strong beak and striking presence speak of resilience and survival in a changing landscape. At the same time, many people describe its call as sad or crying. That sound can be heard as mourning for trees cut down, for damaged Country and for loved ones who have passed. Because of this, black cockatoos hold both strength and grief, echoing the experiences of Noongar people who have maintained culture and identity through great loss and disruption.

Today, black cockatoos are widely used in Noongar art, stories and community symbols. They often stand for Noongar identity, sovereignty and the unbroken connection to language, songlines and lore across the South-West. Different species, such as Carnaby’s, Baudin’s and the red‑tailed black cockatoo, each carry their own stories and meanings for families and local areas. Across Noongar Country, the black cockatoo remains a living reminder of cultural responsibility: to listen to messages from Country, to honour the ancestors and to protect boodja for future generations.