Goanna serpent

This dynamic horizontal composition depicts flowing, serpentine forms that weave across the canvas in traditional earth pigments. The undulating shapes, outlined in white and filled with intricate patterns, suggest the movement of ancestral beings, water sources, or the paths of creation stories. The interplay of positive and negative space, combined with the rhythmic dot work, creates a sense of ancient narrative unfolding across the landscape.

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Michael McNamara is a 38-year-old Aboriginal artist from NSW, proudly carrying the artistic and cultural legacy of his Dharug heritage. As a descendant of Lucy Leane (née Burns/walker), a proud Cabrogal woman from the Dharug nation . Michael's connection to Country runs deep through generations.Lucy Burns-Leane (1836-1895) was of the Cabrogal (Liverpool) Clan of the Darug tribe .Michael's artwork honors this ancestral connection through contemporary interpretations of traditional Aboriginal artistic techniques. His paintings demonstrate deep respect for the visual language of his people - the concentric circles, dot work, and earth tones that have carried cultural stories for thousands of years. Through his art, Michael continues the storytelling tradition of his ancestors, creating works that speak to both the ancient wisdom of his Dharug heritage and the contemporary Aboriginal experience.Working primarily in traditional ochre palettes and circular motifs, Michael's paintings serve as both cultural preservation and personal expression, ensuring that the stories and symbols of his great-great-great grandmother's people continue to be shared and celebrated in the modern world.