Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja - Carrolup Artworks Back Home

Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja (Carrolup Artwork Back Home) The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork John Curtin Gallery 2020

Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja (Carrolup Artworks Back Home) The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork John Curtin Gallery | 8 November – 13 December 2020 The John Curtin Gallery is the proud custodian of The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork, created between 1946 and 1950 by Nyungar children of the Stolen Generations. These children were forcibly removed from their families and detained at the Carrolup Native Settlement in remote bushland near Katanning, south of Perth, Western Australia in the 1940s. After being lost for many decades, this unique collection of 122 artworks was formally transferred to Curtin University in 2013, after being discovered by chance at Colgate University, Hamilton, New York in 2004.

These precious artworks were created during a very dark period in Australia’s history and are powerful testament to the resilience of Aboriginal culture. An inspired teaching program by Carrolup State School Headmaster, Noel White and his wife Lily enabled the children in their care to reconnect to Country in a way that transformed their lives, for but a brief few years. The art activities were devised originally to spark communication between teacher and students but it quickly evolved into a transformative class-wide enterprise that

gained the attention of visiting British philanthropist, Florence Rutter in 1949, who promoted the children’s artworks throughout the UK when she returned there in 1950. Through the success of their art, these children gained confidence and a renewed connection to the country of their ancestors during a time Aboriginal people suffered terrible discrimination and overwhelming institutionalised cultural repression.

Sadly, the promising enterprise at Carrolup was tragically interrupted when the Settlement was suddenly closed at the end of 1950.

These artworks are an important part of the cultural heritage and history of this nation. They provide a rare glimpse into the world of the Stolen Generations of the 1940s, and offer compelling insights into what Aboriginal people have suffered for generations in Western Australia.

Guided by the Carrolup Elders Reference Group – which was established in 2014 to advise Curtin University in all cultural matters related to the Carrolup artworks – Curtin is establishing the Carrolup Centre for Truth-telling in 2020. This will be renamed in due course and become the permanent home for the artworks which will serve as a foundation for a whole-of-University initiative to engage the wider community in truth-telling, healing and reconciliation. The Carrolup Centre for Truth Telling we will ensure the ongoing conservation, preservation and presentation of this collection for future generations, whilst recognising the special significance these works hold for all Nyungar people of Western Australia.

Cover Once Known Child Artist, Three Native Hunters, c1949 chalk and graphite on paper. Courtesy the Carrolup Elders Reference Group. Above Carrolup State School classroom, with school children, teachers Noel and Lily White and visitors from Katanning c1948-49, photograph by Noelene White. | The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork was generously donated for educational and research purposes by Colgate University, Hamilton, New York, United States of America.

1 Arthur Bropho Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 246mm x 179mm

2 Revel Cooper Possum c1949 Graphite, black ink and wax crayon on paper 562mm x 382mm

3 Revel Cooper Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 179mm x 247mm

4 Revel Cooper Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 179mm x 247mm

5 Revel Cooper Untitled c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 179mm x 247mm

6 Revel Cooper Untitled c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 179mm x 247mm

7 Revel Cooper Native & Possom [sic] c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 249mm x 181mm

8 Revel Cooper Contentment c1949 Pastel on paper 750mm x 565mm

9 Alma Cuttabut Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 177mm x 247mm

Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja (Carrolup Artworks Back Home) | The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork | John Curtin Gallery 2020

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10 Parnell Dempster Native Weapons c1949 Graphite and wax crayon on paper 204mm x 247mm

11 Parnell Dempster Untitled 1950 Oil on paper 276mm x 305mm

12 Parnell Dempster Untitled (Landscape with Fallen Tree) 1953 Pastel and graphite on paper 230mm x 291mm

13 Parnell Dempster The Blackboy Tree c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 244mm x 175mm

14 Parnell Dempster Stormy Night c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 180mm x 249mm

15 Parnell Dempster Dawn c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 585mm x 760mm

16 Parnell Dempster Down to Drink c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 586mm x 764mm

17 Reynold Hart Kangaroos c1949 Graphite and wax crayon on paper 385mm x 564mm

18 Reynold Hart The Blue Plate c1949 Pastel on paper 239mm diameter

Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja (Carrolup Artworks Back Home) | The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork | John Curtin Gallery 2020

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19 Reynold Hart Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 292mm x 485mm

20 Reynold Hart Hunting c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 174mm x 241mm

21 Reynold Hart A Native Corroboree c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 725mm x 1070mm

22 Attributed to Keith Indich The Winding Path c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 393mm x 284mm

23 Keith Indich The Little Blue Creek c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 281mm x 389mm

24 Keith Indich The Pink Evening Glow c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 277mm x 382mm

25 Keith Indich The Golden Sunlight c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 279mm x 384mm

26 Keith Indich Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 279mm x 384mm

27 Keith Indich Fallen Tree c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 282mm x 384mm

Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja (Carrolup Artworks Back Home) | The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork | John Curtin Gallery 2020

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28 Keith Indich Golden Light c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 293mm x 380mm

29 Attributed to Keith Indich The Colours of the Setting Sun c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 295mm x 449mm

30 Milton Jackson Making For Home c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 287mm x 385mm

31 Phillip Jackson Deep Sky c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 247mm x 180mm

32 Gregory Kelly The High Bank c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 181mm x 248mm

33 Barry Loo Untitled c1949 Graphite and coloured pencil on paper 288mm x 592mm

34 Barry Loo Rabbit c1949 Graphite and wax crayon on paper 385mm x 563mm

35 Barry Loo At Bay c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 751mm x 1105mm

36 Barry Loo On the Alert c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 762mm x 587mm

Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja (Carrolup Artworks Back Home) | The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork | John Curtin Gallery 2020

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37 Barry Loo A Storm Brewing c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 374mm x 277mm

38 Barry Loo Bounding for Home 1950 Watercolour and black ink on paper 302mm x 505mm

39 Barry Loo Untitled 1950 Watercolour and ink on paper 243mm x 281mm

40 Wilfred Moocher Untitled c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 180mm x 248mm

41 Keith Morgan The Lonely Road c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 170mm x 245mm

42 Tony Onslow Broken Branches c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 175mm x 247mm

43 Cliff Ryder Wild Ponies c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 246mm x 182mm

44 Cliff Ryder Outback c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 172mm x 248mm

45 Mervyn Smith Waiting c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 286mm x 380mm

Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja (Carrolup Artworks Back Home) | The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork | John Curtin Gallery 2020

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46 Angelo Ugle Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 178mm x 246mm

47 Angelo Ugle Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 246mm x 178mm

48 Edie Wallam Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 180mm x 245mm

49 Edie Wallam Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 180mm x 245mm

50 Edie Wallam Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 248mm x 181mm

51 Edie Wallam Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 181mm x 248mm

52 Edie Wallam Untitled c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 178mm x 246mm

53 Edie Wallam Untitled c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 178mm x 246mm

54 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 242mm x 186mm

Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja (Carrolup Artworks Back Home) | The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork | John Curtin Gallery 2020

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55 Once known child artist The Take Off c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 280mm x 379mm

56 Once known child artist The Golden Road c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 280mm x 385mm

57 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 280mm x 385mm

58 Once known child artist The Dingo Danger c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 181mm x 242mm

59 Once known child artist Silvery Moonlight c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 246mm x 180mm

60 Once known child artist Jumping the Fences c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 260mm x 371mm

61 Once known child artist The Dying Sunset c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 184mm x 243mm

62 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 243mm x 184mm

63 Once known child artist The Fenced Road c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 183mm x 245mm

Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja (Carrolup Artworks Back Home) | The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork | John Curtin Gallery 2020

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64 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 245mm x 183mm

65 Once known child artist Vase with Lid c1949 Pastel on paper 173mm x 246mm

66 Once known child artist Teapot c1949 Pastel on paper 175mm x 245mm

67 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 185mm x 232mm

68 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 242mm x 180mm

69 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 169mm x 265mm

70 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 198mm x 251mm

71 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 186mm x 248mm

72 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 186mm x 121mm

Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja (Carrolup Artworks Back Home) | The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork | John Curtin Gallery 2020

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73 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 177mm x 258mm

74 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 248mm x 176mm

75 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 176mm x 248mm

76 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 169mm x 228mm

77 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 169mm x 228mm

78 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 139mm x 246mm

79 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 123mm x 139mm

80 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 123mm x 139mm

81 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 247mm x 176mm

Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja (Carrolup Artworks Back Home) | The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork | John Curtin Gallery 2020

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82 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 119mm x 176mm

83 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 128mm x 176mm

84 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 171mm x 249mm

85 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 171mm x 249mm

86 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 187mm x 247mm

87 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 188mm x 124mm

88 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 188mm x 125mm

89 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 177mm x 240mm

90 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 121mm x 179mm

Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja (Carrolup Artworks Back Home) | The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork | John Curtin Gallery 2020

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91 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 121mm x 179mm

92 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 185mm x 239mm

93 Once known child artist Oval Abstract Design c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 185mm x 239mm

94 Once known child artist Three Native Hunters c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 183mm x 243mm

95 Once known child artist Landscape c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 183mm x 243mm

96 Once known child artist Stalking c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 218mm x 384mm

97 Once known child artist Over the Fence c1949 Pastel on paper 278mm x 369mm

98 Once known child artist The Blue of the Sky c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 277mm x 379mm

99 Once known child artist The Orange Path c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 242mm x 175mm

Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja (Carrolup Artworks Back Home) | The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork | John Curtin Gallery 2020

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100 Once known child artist Reflections c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 242mm x 185mm

101 Once known child artist Shades of Night c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 246mm x 182mm

102 Once known child artist The Moon Looks Down c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 279mm x 450mm

103 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 282mm x 381mm

104 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 279mm x 382mm

105 Once known child artist Night’s Purple Blackness c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 181mm x 249mm

106 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and charcoal on paper 181mm x 249mm

107 Once known child artist Hunting – The Finish c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 281mm x 384mm

108 Once known child artist The Thinker c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 185mm x 242mm

Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja (Carrolup Artworks Back Home) | The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork | John Curtin Gallery 2020

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109 Once known child artist Armed for the Kill c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 279mm x 382mm

110 Once known child artist Riding c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 240mm x 184mm

111 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel on paper 240mm x 184mm

112 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and graphite on paper 185mm x 242mm

113 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and graphite on paper 196mm x 252mm

114 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel and graphite on paper 223mm diameter

115 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 167mm x 249mm

116 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 249mm x 167mm

117 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 245mm x 176mm

Koorliny Mia Whadjuk Boodja (Carrolup Artworks Back Home) | The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork | John Curtin Gallery 2020

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118 Once known child artist Untitled c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 247mm x 177mm

119 Once known child artist The Kill c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 279mm x 380mm

121 Once known child artist The Moon Rises c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 294mm x 450mm

122 Once known child artist Teapot c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 175mm x 246mm

120 Once known child artist On with the Dance c1949 Pastel, charcoal and graphite on paper 281mm x 378mm