{"product_id":"ben-ward-tea-towel-represented-by-waringarri-in-collaboration-with-aachwa-make-it-real-m-aac003","title":"Ben Ward - Tea Towel - Represented by Waringarri in collaboration with AACHWA, Make it Real (m\/aac003)","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoPlainText\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTea Towel featuring image of original artwork '\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eYardanggarlm' (Dingo Springs)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e by Ben Ward.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoPlainText\"\u003eMATERIALS: 100% Cotton\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoPlainText\"\u003eDIMENSIONS: 50 x 65cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eARTWORK DESCRIPTION:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBen 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoPlainText\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THE ARTIST:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoPlainText\"\u003e“I was born at Argyle Downs Station at Behn Creek, hence by name in 1949.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eMy family all worked on the station and we lived there until I was 10.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eWe walked from Argyle Station to Ivanhoe so I could go to school at the Kimberley Research Station.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eMy parents and extended family gained work at Ivanhoe Station.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eMy stepfather, Jeff Chanarma, taught me everything I know. He took me on as his own son.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eMy 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.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoPlainText\"\u003eAfter Ben left school he worked as a mechanic and it was the shop owner’s wife who taught Ben how to paint in watercolour.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eIn 1964 he worked on Carlton Station mustering cattle then later studied nursing to take a position at the Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoPlainText\"\u003eA great speaker, Ben was strongly involved in land rights and community issues.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eHe worked for the Aboriginal Development Commission and officially opened Waringarri Aboriginal Arts in the 1980s.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eIt 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.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoPlainText\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoPlainText\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THE PRODUCT:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoPlainText\"\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoPlainText\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eImages and text courtesy of AACHWA - Make it Real.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoPlainText\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis item is available in Store at Midland Junction Arts Centre and Mundaring Arts Centre.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Waringarri Aboriginal Arts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50805178564673,"sku":"m\/aac003","price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0858\/2324\/files\/6138aec991f53cb4c23043083b68c365.jpg?v=1792904089","url":"https:\/\/macmjac.com.au\/products\/ben-ward-tea-towel-represented-by-waringarri-in-collaboration-with-aachwa-make-it-real-m-aac003","provider":"Mundaring and Midland Junction Arts Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}