Ben Ward - Magnet - Represented by Waringarri in collaboration with AACHWA, Make it Real (m/aac001)
Soft Magnet featuring 'Goorloordoordoog (Pigeon Dreaming) artwork by Waringarri artist Ben Ward.
MATERIALS: Premium grade soft magnet
DIMENSIONS: 7cm
ARTWORK DESCRIPTION:
"Goorloordoordoog - the peace pigeon created this Country near Behn River in the Dreamtime. The central design represents a freshwater spring that the pigeon hid underground. A long time ago this place may have been a desert. This spring is a Dreaming place and should be protected but it has been destroyed by pastoralists who have allowed cattle to roam all over it. I use the nuclear waste symbol at the centre as a sign to say - keep away!"
ABOUT THE PRODUCT:
This product was made in collaboration with Aboriginal Art Centre Hub Western Australia (AACHWA) as part of the Make It Real project. Make It Real is a dedicated project created in response to the 'Fake Art Harms Culture' campaign, with the aim to develop certified, culturally authentic Indigenous products and souvenirs.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
“I was born at Argyle Downs Station at Behn Creek, hence by name in 1949. My family all worked on the station and we lived there until I was 10. We walked from Argyle Station to Ivanhoe so I could go to school at the Kimberley Research Station. My parents and extended family gained work at Ivanhoe Station. My stepfather, Jeff Chanarma, taught me everything I know. He took me on as his own son. My real father was a stockman at Argyle Downs Station, he was half Miriwoong and half Afghan and in those days he couldn’t claim me as his own.”
After Ben left school he worked as a mechanic and it was the shop owner’s wife who taught Ben how to paint in watercolour. In 1964 he worked on Carlton Station mustering cattle then later studied nursing to take a position at the Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service.
A great speaker, Ben was strongly involved in land rights and community issues. He worked for the Aboriginal Development Commission and officially opened Waringarri Aboriginal Arts in the 1980s. It wasn’t until 2011 that Ben began painting regularly and carving at the centre. His painting practice focuses on depicting his country and memories of when he was a young man mustering cattle, from his own unique perspective. In his latest series, he employs triangular designs of juxtaposed coloured ochre to depict the rivers, mountains and ranges of his country while also commenting on issues that are close to his heart. In 2015 he was the first Indigenous person to win the prestigious John Fries Award for emerging artists.
Images and text courtesy of AACHWA - Make it Real.
This item is available in Store at Midland Junction Arts Centre
