Rusty Peters - Nomad Art

Artist: Rusty Peters
Art Centre: Warmun Art Centre
Region: Kimberly

Artwork Story

Rusty Peters is a senior Gija man of Joowoorroo skin. His bush name Dirrji refers to dingo pups looking out of a hole at sunrise. He was born under a Warlagarri or Supplejack tree on Springvale Station south west of Warmun. His spirit came from a crocodile his father had killed when his mother became pregnant.

Rusty grew up on Springvale learning traditional law and working as a stockman. When his father was killed in a tragic riding accident at Roses Yard, the family moved to Mabel Downs where he became renowned as a horse breaker. He lived for some time at Nine Mile reserve at Wyndham after the introduction of award wages forced people off stations but then moved to Warmun where with other senior Gija artists such as Hector Jandany and George Mung-Mung he helped start the school.