Donny Woolagoodja
Worrorra Elder
Mowajim, Kimberely, WA
Elder, Donny Woolagoodja, was considered a patriarch of the Worrorra tribe. This respected spiritual leader from the West Kimberley was also an internationally celebrated artist.
He came to the attention of the world when his massive 35-metre artwork, prominently featured in the Sydney 2000 Olympics opening ceremony, was viewed by almost 4 billion people across the globe.
The powerful image that rose from the ground and transfixed the audience was Wandjina Namarali, which Tommy described as ‘the biggest boss of all the Wandjina’s, like a President’.
Worrorra believe Wandjina are a sacred spiritual force that created their country and control everything in it. Tommy was given authority to paint Namarali by his father Sam, a revered lawman and medicine man.
He inherited a responsibility and tradition many thousands of years old, repainting rock art Wandjina images to preserve them and to ensure the arrival of the monsoon rain. At the same ensuring his culture remained strong.
Fully immersed in his community and its needs, Tommy became the first Chairperson of Mowanjum Artists Spirit of the Wandjina Aboriginal Corporation. He was instrumental in establishing Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre and the Mowanjum Festival.
His unconditional commitment to leadership throughout his life, saw him teaching his young people, mentoring them and leading through his art and his culture.
Tommy’s Wandjina Namarali created for the Sydney Olympics, is now enshrined at the National Museum of Australia, preserving the moment that brought Aboriginal culture to the forefront of Australian international identity.
The Wandjina would become the first indigenous iconography to be trademarked in Australia.
Artist: Russell James
Size: 152cm x 152cm
Medium: Canvas
Artist: Russell James
Size: 152cm x 152cm
Medium: Canvas
Artist: Russell James
Size: 304cm x 152cm
Medium: Canvas