Ben Ward - Tea Towel - Represented by Waringarri in collaboration with AACHWA, Make it Real (m/aac003)
Tea Towel featuring image of original artwork 'Yardanggarlm' (Dingo Springs) by Ben Ward.
MATERIALS: 100% Cotton
DIMENSIONS: 50 x 65cm
ARTWORK DESCRIPTION:
Ben Ward depicts a traditional area of Miriwoong Country outside Kununura in the east Kimberley, WA. “This painting is also about ceremony for young men.” Ward maps out Country, its ranges, river systems, rocky outcrops, natural springs and even Lake Argyle through the use of vividly coloured tessellating ochre triangles. The amorphous shape in the centre of the painting, represents Yardanggarlm or Dingo Springs, a large outcrop created by the Dingo when he passed during the Dreamtime for male ceremony on his way to the Northern Territory. Ward paints for young Miriwoong people and his visual language references important cultural teachings.
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.
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.
Images and text courtesy of AACHWA - Make it Real.
This item is available in Store at Midland Junction Arts Centre and Mundaring Arts Centre.
