The Fighting Man
ABADJERA: artist
No image available
This bark painting tells of a big fight that took place long ago at on the south coast of a Groote Eyland called Marrggala. On the left two men are depicted hunting and having caught a kangaroo. They hear a noise in the river (located in the centre of the painting containing fish) and they find people fighting. Spears were thrown and people were badly hurt (depicted at the top tight of the painting).The two men interceded and urged the fighters to make peace, and as so many had been badly hurt and so much blood had flowed they were ready to stop. They went back to camp and put away their spears and woomeras and made peace (depicted in bottom right).)
Abajera is one of the great old painters of Groote Eyland who learned his craft before white men came.
Collected Bennett #327, 1961
Abajera is one of the great old painters of Groote Eyland who learned his craft before white men came.
Collected Bennett #327, 1961
Title
The Fighting Man
Artist/Maker and role
ABADJERA: artist
Medium
ochres on eucalyptus bark
Measurements
39.5cm x 57.6cm
Credit line
Purchased through the Western Australian Government, 1988
The State Art Collection, The Art Gallery of Western Australia
Accession number
1988/0560