Rammey’s intimate knowledge of waterholes, dreaming, camping and ceremonial sites across Warlawoon Country inform the composition of his paintings. Although minimalist is appearance his works are laden with narrative.
Ramsey now lives in Bow River. His work is forever infused with the memory of Warlawoon Country together with a longing for Country his work teases out the complexities of Gija world-views and the impact of pastoral occupation on his land.
This is the Jumulunj (boab tree) Peggy says, that’s for women – Ngalim ngalim-boorroo.
When women gave birth out in the bush, they would often put their placentas in the boab tree, to make the babies strong. Then that boab tree belongs to that child.
Boab trees are also an importnt food source – the roots of young trees can be eaten along with the boab nut. Peggy speaks of this often and people still eat it widely today.
“My country Alice Downs – Robin Soak Hill. they call this place Mockin Burra”
This painting shows Gordon’s country – Birnoo Country (Alice Downs Station). Birnoo is Gordon’s mother’s country. Gordon mustered cattle all throughout this country for many years – the way his father taught him to.
He became known as a skilled horsebreaker and buckjumper (rodeo rider). When Gordon worked as a stockman, he would often carry with him a saddle bag for his ochre collection. At the end of his mustering stint, he would have a bagful of ochres that he sourced from riding through his country.
He often paints the hills of Birnoo, which connects his to his mother’s country.
This is the Jumuluny (boab tree) Peggy says, that’s for women – Ngalim ngalim-boorroo.
When women gave birth out in the bush, they would often put their placentas in the boab tree, to make the babies strong. Then that boab tree belongs to that child.
Boab trees are also an importnt food source – the roots of young trees can be eaten along with the boab nut. Peggy speaks of this often and people still eat it widely today.
My country Alice Downs – Panton River – they call this place Gun Giny. White sand between two hills.
This work is inspired by a Ngarranggarni (Dreaming) story about Goorlabal the Serpent.
In the Ngarranggarni, Goorlabal travelled from One Mile in search of water. He found water in the Springvale River. He rolled on his back in the water because he was over-heated. He turned into stone and is still there today.
Goorlabal protects the waterways near Warmun, and this work shows the waterways entwined with the vertebrae of Goorlabal.
The community of Ampilatwatja made a conscious decision not to paint ‘altyerr’ dreaming stories, the artists paint their country where those stories sit.
This painting shows the layered landscape of Alyawarr, Central Australia. Knowing your country is an important part of living in a remote community like Ampilatwatja. Knowing when and where to go hunting and gathering, knowing where there is ‘soakage’ (where you can dig for water), travelling with family for ceremonies, and maintaining a connection with the land.
“This is my country, my view of country.”
