Gary Simon Jagamarra was born on the 3rd June 1971 in the gem field in Claremont, central Queensland. When Gary was in his late teens he began to research his aboriginal background in order to discover his heritage and identity. His father is believed to be from Biripi tribe of Northern New South Wales.
In 1996, Gary was adopted by a senior elder of the central desert, Rex Granite Japanuka, from Walpiri Tribe, Northern Territory. Gary was then given the Aboriginal skin name of Jagamarra (Snake Dreaming) and has since learned all the stories, songs, ceremonies and dances associated with the Walpiri people. Gary’s skin group totem is the snake, which means he is not allowed to eat it. His duty is one of care.
He has devoted his life to learning and maintaining the dreamings of his ancestors according to Aboriginal law. Jagamarra uses acrylics on canvas to tell his stories. They are aerial depictions following the tradition of his ancestor’s works in the sand. Aboriginal law and ceremony are very important to Jagamarra. This is prevalent in his works and devotion to his dreaming stories.
Gary’s main dreamings are the Rainbow Serpent, Milky Way and Seven Sisters, Goanna Dreaming, Snake Dreaming, Frog Dreaming and Naapa (Water Dreaming). Each of Gary’s paintings is an original and unique work of art.
As an emerging talent, Gary was commissioned by Australia Post to organise 2000 paintings from different central desert artists, which were used on 2000 stamps to coincide with the year 2000 and the Olympic Games.
All works copyright Original & Authentic Aboriginal Art
