From Miriwoong country around Timber Creek, Dora Griffiths’ bush name is Jerrbnurri and her dreaming is the Night Bird.  “I was born in Kununurra and lived here all my life except for some schooling in Broome in Years 8 & 9. I have worked at St Joseph’s School as a teacher’s aid and at Mirima Language centre as a secretary. I also worked at the Women’s centre and I have been the chairperson for that organisation. At Waringarri Arts I started as the artist support worker, helping all the old people. I started painting after coming here for a while and helping the old people mix paints. More recently I have worked as the Administration and Gallery Assistant. Now I am a Director on the Waringarri Aboriginal Arts Board as well as on the ANKAAA Board. For this year I am also the Waringarri Aboriginal Arts Chairperson. I completed the ANKAAA Arts-worker Extension program in 2012 and have learnt many industry skills. I paint as often as I can. I have 5 children. I follow in the footsteps of my elders and learn about country, culture and art from my parents and the old people.”

A Jaru speaker from Barrawool (Lake Gregory), Louise Malarvie is a young emerging artist developing a repertoire of images to reflect the cultural learning taught to her by the elders of her family. Committed to her cultural tradition and its expression Louise explores an individual interpretation of colour and composition to best translate her cultural learning. “I was born in Darwin and grew up at Mistake Creek and Bamboo Springs and then moved to Kununurra and lived at Lily Creek. Afterwards I went to Emu Creek with my Mum. We used to catch the bus into Kununurra for school. We lived in the ranch area at Kununurra in the 90’s. I follow my mother to do painting. I watched my mother painting when I was small when she used to sell her paintings at the bakery before Waringarri Arts started. Everyone – my grandpa, my mum and dad – all moved to Waringarri then.”

Anita Churchill in the studio at ECU, 2012