THE CASE OF THE GWION GWION ABORIGINAL ROCK ARTISTS OF THE KIMBERLEY WESTERN AUSTRALIA

This is the second unit on aboriginal rock painters of the Kimberley. The Gwion Gwion art is by far the oldest aboriginal art in the Kimberley. Present day Aboriginal people of the Kimberley have no known linkages with this art and tend to regard it as rather insignificant compared to the more recent Windjana art covered in the first unit of this series. Much of this art has become faded and difficult to decipher. Some has survived on rock ledges or in caves. Its distinctive shapes were first examined and classified by a pastoralist -Joseph Bradshaw which explains why this art also has a title of “Bradshaw Art”. Use this title as a follow up on the much later and more highly regarded Wandjina Art. The fill-in page in colour or black and white can be used as a check on the level of student understanding. To complete the fill-in page students will also need to refer to Part 1 on the Wandjina art. The Gwion Gwion painters are part of a mystery. The evidence of their presence exists in their paintings but the artists and the aboriginal group disappeared from the Kimberley for reasons that are suggested. Their disappearance has not yet been explained. Take your students to see the art. Maybe they have some suggestions about their disappearance.