The Kunja 3

Embrace the Indigenous Creativity - Explore Aboriginal Art
This is a mixed-media artwork on stretched canvas, ready to hang. It comes with a signed certificate of authenticity. I have used vibrant colours and layers of acrylics mixed with Liquitex Soft Gel, a medium that enhances the surface gloss, colour depth and transparency of the paint. It also extends the colour range without affecting the acrylic stability. The result is a heavy body paint with an oil-like colour. The layers of acrylics create some depth and texture in the artwork.
The Stunning painting is inspired by the Cunnamulla Aboriginal culture, which comprises five different tribes: the Kunja people, who are the traditional owners of the Cunnamulla area, and the Kooma, Budjiti, Mardigan, and Kullilli people. The Kunja Aboriginal people are the descendants of Killamunda, Flora Maranoa, Maria Major and Jimmy Nyngan, who were among the first Aboriginal people to settle in the region. The Kooma people are those Aboriginal people who are descended from Maggie of Bendena, Kitty of Bollon, Sarah of Fernlee, Mary Button of Murra Murra, Susan Mitchell, Annie Murray, Julia Powell, Lucy Sheridan and other ancestors. The artwork celebrates the rich and diverse heritage of these tribes and their connection to the land and the Warrego River, where they perform the welcome-to-country ceremony at the start of Cully Fest, a festival that showcases the outback culture and everyday life.

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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.