Leading artists and their work

BEVAN NAMPONAN

Bevan Namponan is the third eldest of eight children born to Angus Namponan and Chrissie Peemuggina. From his father they have the totems that include Bush Rat, Freshwater Shark, Spear, Small Carpet Snake, Salmon, Knee and Single-barb Hardwood Spear. Bevan also shares other totems that are associated with the the Wik-Alkenh language and belong to the Apelech ceremonial group Garry’s father’s country is at Warpang, just inland from Cape Keerweer.

His mother’s was from enjoining country of Aayk, her language being Wik-Ngathan. Anagus Namponan was prominent as a caver at Aurukun and, as sometimes happens in Wik society, his sons who have followed in his footsteps. Bevan’s Camp Dogs are a secular subject and as such belong to an innovative class of Wik sculptures that have been developing in relation to the art and craft markets for some decades. Bevan is the brother of Garry, Leigh and older brother to Leo all of whom are established and emerging carvers with the Wik and Kugu Arts Centre.

DATE OF BIRTH: 12th September 1963

CLAN GROUP: Apalech (Mother) – Apalech (Father)

LANGUAGE GROUP: Wik Ngathan (Mother) – Wik Alkan (Father)

HOMELAND STATE: Cape Keer Weer (Mother) – Aayk, Kirke River (Father)

TOTEM: Fresh water Shark; Night Owl; Salmon (Mother) Kangaroo (Father)

Bevan has been working with the art center for several years. His work is to be found in many different collections such as the GOMA, gallery of NSW, Art Gallery of Bendigo and many private collections

 

  • 2006 : ‘Country in mind, the Ian Potter Museum of Art, the University of Melbourne
  • 2007 : “Puulway”, Wik and Kugu Totems. Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi Melbourne
  • 2010 : “Befor time Began” University of Queensland, Brisbane
  • 2011 : Andrew Baker Gallery, Group show, Brisbane
  • 2012 : Alcaston Gallery, Group show, Melbourne
  • 2012 : Martin Browne Contemporary, Group show, Sydney
  • 2013 : Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne
  • 2013 : Kinship, Cairns

Group Shows:

  • 2016 Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair, Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal
  • Kang ka nam (old one) Ying ka nam (new one) Phi in (big one), Wooloongabba Art Gallery Brisbane
  • 2015 Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair, Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal
  • Ground Wooloongabba Art Gallery Brisbane
  • 2014 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), Cairns
  • Jamfactory, Adelaide
  • Ground Cairns regional Art Gallery Brisbane
  • 2011 – “21st Century: Art In the First Decade”; Brisbane Gallery of Modern Art.
  • 2011-2010 – “Menagerie, contemporary Indigenous sculpture”, touring exhibition, Sydney, Melboune, Launceston, Brisbane, Adelaide, Alice Spring, Cairns, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo.
  • 2009- Yuk Min: Aurukun Artists – Andrew Baker Gallery, Brisbane, Qld
  • Aurukun Sculptures – Gabrielle Pizzi Gallery, Melbourne, Vic
  • I’Nageen: Sculptures and Painting from Aurukun – Coo-ee Aboriginal Gallery, Bondi, NSW
  • Cairns Indigenous Art Fair(represented by Canopy Art Space) – Cairns, Qld
  • 2008- Aurukun Sculptures – Gabrielle Pizzi Gallery, Melbourne, Vic
  • Wiy Min Yumpan Ngamp – Andrew Baker Art dealer, Brisbane Qld
  • From Cape to Cove – Holmes A Court Gallery, Perth, WA

GARRY NAMPONAN

Garry Namponan is the eldest of eight children born to Angus Namponan and Chrissie Peemuggina. From his father they have the totems that include Bush Rat, Freshwater Shark, Spear, Small Carpet Snake, Salmon, Knee and Single-barb Hardwood Spear. Garry also shares other totems that are associated with the the Wik-Alkenh language and belong to the Apelech ceremonial group Garry’s father’s country is at Warpang, just inland from Cape Keerweer.

His mother’s was from enjoining country of Aayk, her language being Wik-Ngathan. Angus Namponan was prominent as a caver at Aurukun and, as sometimes happens in Wik society, his sons who have followed in his footsteps. Garry’s Camp Dogs are a secular subject and as such belong to an innovative class of Wik sculptures that have been developing in relation to the art and craft markets for some decades.

Garry is the older brother of Lex, Leigh, Bevan and Leo all of whom are established and emerging carvers with the Wik and Kugu Arts Centre.

CLAN GROUP: Apalech (Mother) – Apalech (Father)

LANGUAGE GROUP: Wik Ngathan (Mother) – Wik Alkan (Father)

HOMELAND STATE: Cape Keer Weer(Mother – Aayk, Kirke River (Father)

TOTEM: Fresh water Shark; Night Owl; Salmon(Mother) Kangaroo (Father)

Group Shows:

  • 2016 Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair, Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal
  • 2016 Kang ka nam (old one) Ying ka nam (new one) Phi in (big one), Wooloongabba Art Gallery Brisbane
  • 2015 Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair, Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal
  • 2015 Ground Wooloongabba Art  Gallery Brisbane
  • 2014 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), Cairns
  • 2014 Jamfactory, Adelaide
  • Ground Cairns regional Art Gallery Brisbane
  • 2011 “21st Century: Art In the First Decade” ; Brisbane Gallery of Modern Art.
  • 2011-2010 “Menagerie, contemporary Indigenous sculpture”, touring exhibition, Sydney, Melboune, Launceston, Brisbane, Adelaide, Alice Spring, Cairns, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo.
  • 2009 Yuk Min: Aurukun Artists- Andrew Baker Gallery, Brisbane, Qld
  • 2009 Aurukun Sculptures– Gabrielle Pizzi Gallery, Melbourne, Vic
  • 2009 I’Nageen: Sculptures and Painting from Aurukun- Coo-ee Aboriginal Gallery, Bondi, NSW
  • 2009 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair(represented by Canopy Art Space)- Cairns, Qld
  • 2008 Aurukun Sculptures– Gabrielle Pizzi Gallery, Melbourne, Vic
  • 2008 Wiy Min Yumpan Ngamp– Andrew Baker Art dealer, Brisbane Qld
  • 2008 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair(represented by Canopy Art Space)- Cairns, Qld
  • 2007 Puulway: Wik and Kugu Totems- Gabriel Pizzi Gallery, Melbourne, Vic
  • 2006  “Aurukun Artists” Hogarth Gallery, Sydney. NSW
  • 2006 “Aurukun artists” Andrew Baker Gallery, Brisbane, Qld
  • 2006 From Cape to Cove– Holmes A Court Gallery, Perth, WA