The boab tree is a tree that we have lots of in the Kimberley region in Australia. It’s a symbol of our country and the nuts that grow on it has food in it when you break it open. It is also used for medicine when soaked in water for colds and coughs.
We do engrave carvings on them and painting of them, because it’s part of our history and culture.
Dimensions: Image: 41 x 28cm, Paper: 56 x 36cm / Wood Cut Print
Name: Nathan Thomas
Language: Gija, Karajarri
Biography:
I grew up in Halls Creek, where the landscape and my family's stories have always been a big part of my life. My grandmother, Lorna Thomas, was an artist at Warmun, and watching her paint really inspired me. My grandfather made things out of wood and boab nuts, which got me interested in carving and sculpture.
I've always loved making art and have worked at art centres for most of my life. In school, I was always winning the art competitions. Later, I worked at Yarlilyil Art Centre, making canvases and painting when I had time. Now, I'm the ceramics technician and trainer at Waringarri Arts, which is a really important job to me. Being a technician and trainer at Waringarri Arts lets me share my skills with others, and that's something I really value.
I like working with different materials – wood, paint, ceramics, anything really. A lot of my work focuses on animals, and I try to tell the story of each one. I want to keep learning and trying new things, and keep telling the stories of my home through my art.
Lonely Desert Happy Spirit My Grandparents when they left their homeland in the desert they never seen their country home again for a long time and when they came back to see their homeland they Read more…
The Wild-Flower After the wet season the wild desert flowers come into bloom all over country. The Wild-Flower keep the desert alive. Dimensions: 61 x 122 cm / Natural Ochres and Pigments on Canvas
Dingo Dreaming This painting tells a story of “a large spirit dog”. The dog was passing through my fathers country (Woojarr) and decided to stay for couple of days before following the river (Angillary) up Read more…