This painting represents the Wandjina, Creator for the Woddordda, Ngarinyin and Wanambul Tribe. The Gyorns gave the dance and Unguds are significant sacred spiritual representations of country, people, love and customs.
Name: Leah Rinjeewala Umbagai
Language: Worrora
Community: Mowanjum
Biography:
Leah is a Woddordda woman, born in the north-west Kimberley in 1974. Leah’s passion for her art comes from her elders influence and teaching.
She grew up with DW and Mildred Mungulu. Leah’s work reflects her relationships, clan, country and passion for teaching and sharing. She is very active in her community and has seven adopted children.
She works with kids and youth encouraging them to live on country and respect their culture, language and heritage. Leah is a respected senior cultural advisor within her community and others. “I dream when I am in my country. In my dreams my grandfather and grandmother give me songs and dances. I believe the spirits show you things through dreams. I often paint what I dream.”
In addition, to her art practice, Leah is a senior cultural advisor for the Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation and contributed extensively to the development and content of the Mowanjum Museum at the Art and Cultural Centre. She worked at the Art centre from the very beginning and also managed the centre for three years.
Apart from working, in acrylic and ochres she also experiments with other media.
Her work was commissioned many times from several museums and collectors.
Three Tribes, Dumbi & Ungud (barn owl & totem). The three tribes are the Worrora, Wunumbul and Ngarinyin. The three tribes represent the Wandjina who made them what they are today. The three tribes are Read more…
Wandjina and Father God are the same (Wandjina Ge Irraaya Gaaddangaadaa Gajirnma) Irraaya arri arranangka anjoldanya Father for us in heaven ngunngumba mamaa guninya your name sacred let it be bandaya ngunjanangka gunyangkunyaal country for Read more…
Jarlarloyni Jarlarloyni is a female Wandjina that married Namarali one of the main three Wandjinas that created the laws, country and language for the Ngarinyin, Worrorra, and Wunumbal people. Namarali was originally from Ngarinyin country Read more…