BEVAN NAMPONAN | 'Thawantan (Talking to each other)' Etching

This series of prints immortalises the famous Aurukun dogs in a new medium; printmaking.

In almost all Aboriginal communities throughout Australia, dogs dominate the landscape. They roam the streets in packs and intimidate passers-by and lie in the shade, seeking respite from the midday heat; in the evening, they seek out an ‘owner’ to feed them leftovers from the day’s meal. Collectively they are known as ‘camp dogs’ and, in the case of Aurukun, have the name ‘ku’’.

As opposed to law poles and other culturaly important sculpture, which are associated with specific clan knowledge, camp dogs generally belong to everyone, enabling members of all groups to collaborate and share an artistic subject.

Bevan Namponan is the third eldest of eight children born to Angus Namponan and Chrissie Peemuggina. From his father they have the totems that include Bush Rat, Freshwater Shark, Spear, Small Carpet Snake, Salmon, Knee and Single-barb Hardwood Spear. Bevan also shares other totems that are associated with the the Wik-Alkenh language and belong to the Apelech ceremonial group. 

Anagus Namponan was prominent as a caver at Aurukun and, as sometimes happens in Wik society, his sons who have followed in his footsteps. Bevan’s Camp Dogs are a secular subject and as such belong to an innovative class of Wik sculptures that have been developing in relation to the art and craft markets for some decades.

Bevan is the brother of Garry, Leigh and older brother to Leo all of whom are established and emerging carvers with the Wik and Kugu Arts Centre.

In almost all Aboriginal communities throughout Australia, dogs dominate the landscape. They roam the streets in packs and intimidate passers-by and lie in the shade, seeking respite from the midday heat; in the evening, they seek out an ‘owner’ to feed them leftovers from the day’s meal. Collectively they are known as ‘camp dogs’ and, in the case of Aurukun, have the name ‘ku’’.

As opposed to law poles and other culturaly important sculpture, which are associated with specific clan knowledge, camp dogs generally belong to everyone, enabling members of all groups to collaborate and share an artistic subject.

Bevan Namponan is the third eldest of eight children born to Angus Namponan and Chrissie Peemuggina. From his father they have the totems that include Bush Rat, Freshwater Shark, Spear, Small Carpet Snake, Salmon, Knee and Single-barb Hardwood Spear. Bevan also shares other totems that are associated with the the Wik-Alkenh language and belong to the Apelech ceremonial group Garry’s father’s country is at Warpang, just inland from Cape Keerweer. His mother’s was from enjoining country of Aayk, her language being Wik-Ngathan.

Anagus Namponan was prominent as a caver at Aurukun and, as sometimes happens in Wik society, his sons who have followed in his footsteps. Bevan’s Camp Dogs are a secular subject and as such belong to an innovative class of Wik sculptures that have been developing in relation to the art and craft markets for some decades.

Bevan is the brother of Garry, Leigh and older brother to Leo all of whom are established and emerging carvers with the Wik and Kugu Arts Centre.

BEVAN NAMPONAN | 'Thawantan (Talking to each other)' | 2014 | Etching | Edition of 10 | Paper size 40 (w) x 52 (h) cm | Image size: 19 (w) x 24 (h) cm