- Title: Balgo
- Artist: Larry Gundora
- Region: Kimberley
- Art Centre: Warlayirti Artists
- Medium: Woodblock print
- Collection:
- Dimensions: 50 x 40 cm
- Edition Size:
- Price ($AUD): $ 495
Artwork Story
This unique print tells of the waterhole and story of ‘Balgo’ (located approx 60 kms from Wirrimanu). Larry told us that along time ago people from the Western side had come up this way looking for water and come upon this prime waterhole. Historically, people have lived around this area and this waterhole for along time… it has always been known as Balgo. However upon white settlement, the Kartiya (white people) asked what this area was called. On being told Balgo, these white people added the term Hills to the name and thus this area became known as Balgo Hills.
Warlayirti Artists are well known for their beautiful, high quality artworks including limited edition prints. Since 2002, there has been a long-standing collaboration between the Balgo artists and the printers from Northern Editions in Darwin. This partnership has resulted in numerous editions of etchings and screenprints and in more recent times has expanded to include Japanese woodblock printing for the men.
The woodcuts are in response to an existing but not regularly practised carving tradition upon sandstone and soapstone, as well as wood for boomerangs, shields and spears. These prints retell traditional tjukurrpas (Dreamings) and knowledge in an alternative medium, so important stories are retained for perpetuity.
© Warlayirti Artists