04/08/2026
Three works from the Warmun community, each carrying a story rooted deep in Country. ✨
🎨 Red Butte, Ord River, and the Surrounding Hills by April Nulgit
This painting describes a place on Ngargaroon (Texas) country, April's mother's country, known as Red Butte. It portrays the ruggedness and beauty of the landscape, the Surrounding Hills, and the mighty Ord River. "Plenty full fish in this river," April recalls. "I remember swimming, hunting for bush food and fishing, happily being out on country with family. We never left empty handed." A painting full of warmth, memory, and belonging.
🎨 Soda Spring - Turner by Cecil Mosquito
Emerging artist Cecil Mosquito captures the landscape of his grandfather's country painted from a bird's-eye view. The main spring sits at the centre in bright yellow ochre and white, surrounded by bold red and pink pigments representing rocks and limestone formations. Cecil traces the journey from the bottom right corner: "To get to Turner, you have to travel across through here, limestone area, before crossing over to Soda Springs, until finally reaching your destination." As the land shifts toward Turner, hills rise in the distance. "That's how we used to know we were getting close." Cecil began painting only last year. This work is extraordinary evidence of where his practice is headed.
🎨 Argyle Diamond Mine Rehab by Madeline Purdie
This is a painting of reckoning and hope. The right side depicts the devastation left by the Argyle Diamond Mine. The left side shows what Madeline and her community want the land to become, rehabilitated, restored, returned to future generations. The rehabilitation project began in 2020, and while some positive changes are visible, Madeline's words carry the weight of what cannot be undone: "we know that our land will never be the same again."
It is a profound and necessary work.
All three are available now as part of our Warmun Artists exhibition. Visit us in gallery or view online.
