YEARS ON Pilbara Strike
Spinifex Hill Studio | 30 April–1 June
ARTISTS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Daisy Tinker
Lena Willalang
Beryl Ponce Maywokka (Mayiwalku) Chapman
Mr Gardiner
Mr Burton
Ms Alone
Owen John Biljabu
Sophia Alone
Willara Barker
Members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are respectfully advised that this book contains names, images and stories of people who have passed away.
WARNING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Spinifex Hill Studio and FORM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Western Australia both past and present, whose enduring connection to this Country and ongoing contributions to our collective culture and communities we respect and honour. We appreciate and are deeply grateful for the privilege of working on these lands.
For full artist biographies go to spinifexhillstudio.com.au/artists
For artwork sales please contact Spinifex Hill Studio via mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au
Pilbara Strike
YEARS ON
Spinifex Hill Studio | 30 April–1 June
Pindan Group in Perth, 1958. Source - Don McLeod, How the West was Lost, self published, Port Hedland, 1984.
BACKGROUND
The 1946 Pilbara Strike was a threeyear, Indigenous-led industrial action in Western Australia that was driven by Aboriginal leaders—Dooley Bin Bin, Clancy McKenna, and Peter Coppin— alongside non-Indigenous ally Don McLeod.
This strike, spanning three years, saw nearly 800 Aboriginal stockmen, domestic workers, and station hands throughout the Pilbara region walk off more than 20 stations, demanding fair pay and basic rights. This marked the longest strike in Australian history and was a pivotal moment in the fight for Aboriginal rights, economic independence and land rights.
This exhibition is a celebration and acknowledgement of the monumental movement and the involvement that our artists’ families had in the strike. The respect and appreciation for the families that were involved is immense, and we recognise the impact that this has had for future generations.
LANGUAGE GROUP: NYANGUMARTA
Nyaparu (William) Gardiner (dec.)
“Then the business of the strike was finishing, when our people started getting a money for work [not only rations], we were changing between mineral work and station work.”
and Peter Miller, Nyaparu (William) Gardiner (dec.), 2017, acrylic on canvas, 51 x 76 cm, 17-445. Sales enquiries please contact mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au
Truck Driver, Nyaparu (William) Gardiner (dec.), 2017, ink on paper, 27 x 18 cm, 17-915. Sales enquiries please contact mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au
Sales enquiries please contact mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au
Don McLeod, Sophia Alone, acrylic on canvas, 56 x 56 cm, 23-263.
LANGUAGE GROUP: NYANGUMARTA
Sophia Alone
“12 Mile River, where all our old peoples lived at the 1946 strike until 1991. Strong people days.”
”The people who are present and have left us are well known to our people and are special in my heart and if I could, I would love to give you a glimpse of that.”
Yugurli Fruit, Sophia Alone, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 61 x 91.5 cm, 21-132. Sales enquiries please contact mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au
LANGUAGE GROUP: MANYJILYJARRA
Illyampi Victor Burton
“Big mob [of] old motorcar came all to Punmu. We camp[ed] there. We had a] school, no white people, [our] own garage and store.”
LANGUAGE GROUP: MANYJILYJARRA
Owen John Biljabu
“My
childhood was different. The other kids cried for toys but me I cried for canvas and paint.”
Untitled (Don McLeod), Owen John Biljabu, acrylic on canvas, 101.5 x 71 cm, 21-9. Sales enquiries please contact mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au
LANGUAGE GROUP: MANYJILYJARRA
Maywokka Chapman (Mayiwalku)
“In Warralong painting, painting. No fishing – no car! Only painting, painting every day! Yuwayi (yes)!”
Ngurra (Home Country, Camp), Maywokka Chapman (Mayiwalku), acrylic on canvas, 71 x 61 cm, 24-301. Sales enquiries please contact mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au
,
Sales enquiries please contact mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au
Ngurra (Home Country, Camp)
Maywokka Chapman (Mayiwalku), acrylic on canvas, 182 x 45.5 cm, 23-1013.
LANGUAGE GROUP: NYANGUMARTA
Beryl Ponce
“It’s good to be out here painting, to sit with the people and make friends and be happy. Painting is like telling stories. Painting about history, life, talking about myself and my parents and the past.”
Warralong, Beryl Ponce, acrylic on canvas, 51 x 61 cm, 23-321. Sales enquiries please contact mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au
Lena Alone (dec.)
“I like doing a different style and a different sorta painting from other people. I wanna do things my own way and be unique. I don’t wanna be the same as other people and I think my painting reflects this.”
Sales enquiries please contact mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au
Untitled, Lena Alone (dec.), acrylic on canvas, 35.5 x 61 cm, 23-702.
LANGUAGE GROUP: NYANGUMARTA
Willarra Barker
“My name means moon in Nyangumarta.”
”I first started doing art when I was about seventeen. My painting knowledge has been passed down to me from my father.”
Geckos Hunting, Willarra Barker, acrylic on canvas, 45.5 x 45.5 cm, 25-102. Sales enquiries please contact mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au
Lena Willalang
“And the emu skin, I made leather from it and made it into different colours, and then they would send it to Perth for people to make belts and wallets and things. ” LANGUAGE GROUP: NYANGUMARTA
Untitled, Lena Willalang, acrylic on canvas, 45.5 x 45.5 cm, 25-282. Sales enquiries please contact mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au
LANGUAGE GROUP: MANYJILYJARRA
Daisy Tinker
“I come from the desert. I’m a Manyjilyjarra proud woman and my Country is on the Canning Stock Route, in the Midway Well. This was my Father’s Country.”
Untitled, Daisy Tinker, acrylic on canvas, 45.5 x 40 cm, 25-112. Sales enquiries please contact mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au
Untitled, Daisy Tinker, acrylic on canvas, 71 x 71 cm, 25-21. Sales enquiries please contact mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au