Noongali’s Art

Noongali’s styles of painting range from the more traditional form of Aboriginal art to his unique style of interpreting landforms.

For the traditional he draws on his clan history, culture and language and uses modern materials to create bold images of creatures of the dreaming. He has also commenced a series of paintings of geographic forms (“Geo Dreaming Series”) representing Australian cities and other sites important to Aboriginal and European cultures. Representing cities in this manner, these hallmarks of European civilisation, Noongali fashions a bridge between the cultures … defining the city precincts in terms of the underlying ancient land with little or no concession to the man made structures. They point to the timeless land as having power beyond that of men – the land forms and the natural water courses survive largely intact and the immense forces such as the weather and the relentless progress of the seasons continue to control man’s behaviour and destiny.

RAIN DRAGON
Long ago when the land was over-populated with animals, birds and reptiles, there was much fighting over food and shelter. The tribes met to try and find a solution. Some said the birds should leave to seek another land because they could fly … but the birds refused. The Rain Dragons (Frill Necked Lizard) climbed to the top of the mountains to find their own solution. They began a chant which created a great storm that flooded the land, leaving only the highest hilltops above water and drowning most creatures. The Rain Dragon remains the most feared and powerful rainmaker, even today.

Noosa Headland
This painting represents an aerial view of a National Park in a very popular area in Queensland. It is one of a number of paintings of geographic forms representing Australian cities and other sites important to Aboriginal and European cultures. Representing cities in this manner, these hallmarks of European civilization, Noongali fashions a bridge between the cultures...defining the city precincts in terms of the underlying ancient land with little or no concession to the man-made structures.

Two Warriors
Two Warriors represents dreamtime warriors preparing for a battle with another tribe.

Four Janarcs Dreaming
Four spirit people celebrating song and dance.

The Last Two Yongas
The Aboriginal men would go out hunting just before dusk as they knew the Yongas (kangaroos) would be resting during the hottest part of the day and only come out to feed as it cooled down approaching sunset. The old men would round up the warriors to go on the hunt, and they would take the young men and boys and teach them how to stalk, trap and kill the Yongas.

Carder
The Carder hibernates during the winter months and emerges from his winter sleep with the first summer rains. The rains are also a sign to the tribes that it is time to begin hunting the Carder. When the Carder disappears underground, the tribes know that it is time to prepare for the long cold winter months. The Carder is not only food for the tribes, but by signalling the changing seasons, it also tells them when to move to other parts of the country where different seasonal foods can be found.