Hand-Painted Noongar Art

Artist: Christine Winmar

Region: Perth, WA

Size: 74 x 74 cm

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Christine Winmar is a Noongar woman, born in Midland, Western Australia, in 1965. Her skin name is ‘Allawah’, an Aboriginal word meaning "Stay here".  Christine was taught to paint by her father, a renowned artist and didgeridoo craftsman. He taught her many aspects and techniques of Noongar art, which is reflected in her work today. Christine then began experimenting with different styles and techniques with the support of her family and friends.

 Christine has also spent a few years in the Kimberley, where she further developed her skills by adopting the techniques of Aboriginals in the Northern Territory.

 By 1997, Christine had been selling her works through an Aboriginal art gallery in Perth.  Her first joint exhibition followed shortly after, in 2005, when she and fellow artists Mingi May Barnes, Geoff Lindsey, and Tjinanginy exhibited in Perth and Cottesloe. 

 In 2009 Christine exhibited her work with various other artists in Perth and San Francisco in the “Colours of Australia” exhibition.

 Christine works with media such as canvas, pottery, wood, and glass. She often uses dots to create bright and colourful patterns.

The meanings behind her artwork

In Aboriginal culture, dolphins are commonly associated with the human spirit. They are also used to symbolize the importance of a balanced life.

 One day, three children were travelling with their families on a boiling day. The day was so hot that it drained every one of their energy, making it impossible for them to carry on. The adults settled there and warned their children to stay close by and not wander off. However, toward the end of the day, the children were nowhere to be found.

 The adults began a search to find their kids, tracking their footprints. They traced them to the cliff's edge, where they abruptly ended. The children weren’t playing in the sea and were nowhere in sight.

 After the children ran away and went exploring, they found the body of water and jumped in, believing it was a billabong. Once they dived in they realised their mistake and were dragged out to sea. They tried desperately calling for help, but they had wandered so far from their group that no one could hear them.

 Just then Boomali, a sea spirit, came to the rescue. He saved the children, but he knew they had been reckless and disobedient, so he decided to teach them a lesson and turn them into dolphins. They could play and have fun in the sea for the rest of their lives, but they were never allowed to see their family again.