Kurun Warun was encouraged by his mother to begin painting at a young age, with his first works exhibited at the age of eight. Kurun’s mother was tutored by Clifton Pugh, a scholar of the NGV art school (National Gallery of Victoria Art School), three time winner of the Archibald prize and the Order of Australia medal.
Kurun Warun’s line of heritage can be traced back to Truganini, the last living Tasmanian Queen.
He sees his work as a development of contemporary Aboriginal abstract art. All his work has a traditional meaning not always observed by the eye at first glance. His work is bound with colour and carefully defined within line and space to lead the viewer through the underlying story.
Living with Water tells the story of the Gunditjmara and their close association with the ocean. The elders have passed down the trails used by men when traversing water for hunting, food gathering and commuting between tribal groups. This painting shows a long sandbank above the mainland. The white dot formations along the edge of the sandbanks depict the breaking water. The circular formations show fish traps set by the men. Orange colour depicts marine life and many different food forms.
Kurun Warun’s style is an excellent example of the multivalent nature present in Aboriginal art; meaning the designs used in the paintings often have many interrelated and symbolic meanings. The surface narrative elements, known as the paintings ‘Story’ or ‘Dreaming’, are one of the many layers of an aboriginal paintings meaning. The imagery utilised by Aboriginal artists has deep cultural resonances that defy logic and narrative interpretations. The western viewer can, however, intuitively feel the power of this spiritual resonance without necessarily having to understand the details, which are known only by the initiated.
Kurun Warun is also a troop leader of the Aboriginal Dance Troop Toolumby Waddama, which continues to tour the world, presenting their unique style of music and dance. His work is becoming recognised around the world to be of collectable value.
Collections
ATSIC
Cambridge University, England
The Edge, Auckland
Netherlands Embassy
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), Coolum
Pierce Brosnan - Private Collection
Michael Schumacher - Private Collection
Prime Minister of Turkey - Private Collection
Sultan Indris Shah of Selangor, Malaysia - Private Collection
Jane Crafter Golf Pro, USA - Private Collection
All works copyright Original & Authentic Aboriginal Art
