Awurrapun – Crocodile Story

Many years ago a man lived at a small creek that runs into the Daly River. He was an excellent fisherman, admired by all in his tribe as he could always be relied upon to bring food into the camp from his fishing trips. He would provide not only for his family with his daily catch but for other tribes as well. All the women admired his hunting skills. His legendary status grew over time and while the admiration remained, jealousies also started to surface. Some men became concerned that their wives held the fisherman in far too high esteem.
One night he went out fishing and was following by some jealous men from the tribe, who had devised a plan to kill him. While he was fishing, the men crept up behind the man and threw his own fishing net over him. The man struggled and rolled, trying to extract himself from the net but the net only wound itself tighter and tighter, and then men tied him in it and threw him into the river. As he thrashed about in the net, big swirls and and bubbles appeared. Eventually, his spirit left his body and the other men hung his body, still wrapped in the fishing net, from a tree. When the fisherman did not return, his wife grew worried and went out looking for him. Eventually, she found him. Overcome with grief, she wrapped herself in her own fishing net and rolled into the river. As she thrashed about the net dug into her skin. Her spirit left her body and she could then join her husband. When the people of the tribe found her body, they hung her next to the body of her husband.
One can see where their skin comes through the nets, bulging out in squares, much like the skin of a crocodile.

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Artist Statement
I was born in Cunnamulla, a small town in southwestern Queensland, on the edge of Barunggam Country. My yumba—my traditional home—is the land of the Barunggam people, who, for thousands of years, have walked gently on this Country as part of the Wakka Wakka language group. Our connection to the Darling Downs runs deep, shared with neighbouring clans like the Keinjan, Giabal, Jarowair, Bigambal, Kambuwal, and Jagara—each with their own sacred stories, songs, and traditions.

As an Aboriginal artist, my work is more than a visual experience—it is a spiritual practice, a cultural responsibility, and a personal journey. My inspiration comes from the land, from our Dreaming, and from the teachings of my wise grandad. Through him, I learned that painting is not about aesthetics—it’s about storytelling. Every line, every dot, every colour carries emotion, memory, and meaning.

I do not paint to follow trends or fit into boxes. I paint from feeling and truth. My art is a language—spoken through ochre tones, deep blues, and patterns shaped by the rhythm of Country. It is how I honour my ancestors, how I keep our stories alive, and how I share our culture with the world.

Each piece I create is a declaration:
This is who I am. This is where I come from. This is my story.

Through my work, I hope to offer a glimpse into the soul of Barunggam Country, to connect others with the strength, beauty, and resilience of Aboriginal culture. My art is a tribute to the generations who walked before me—and a message to the generations still to come.