Rock Art Research

Vol. 36 No. 2 (2019)
Published : Nov 13, 2019

‘THIS IS MY FATHER’S PAINTING’: A FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT OF THE CREATION OF THE MOST ICONIC ROCK ART IN KAKADU NATIONAL PARK

Sally K. May (1), Josie Gumbuwa Maralngurra (2), Iain G. Johnston (3), Joakim Goldhahn (4), Jeffrey Lee, Gabrielle O’Loughlin (5), Kadeem May (6), Christine Ngalbarndidj Nabobbob (7), Murray Garde (8), Paul S. C. Taçon (9)

(1) PERAHU, Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research Griffith University, Gold Coast campus, Australia
(2) Australia
(3) Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Australia
(4) Linnæus University Centre for Concurrences in Colonial and Postcolonial Studies, Sweden
(5) Australia
(6) Australia
(7) Australia
(8) School of Culture, History and Language Australian National University, Australia
(9) Griffith University, Gold Coast campus, Australia
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Abstract

The Anbangbang Gallery in the Burrungkuy area of Kakadu National Park includes some of the most iconic rock art imagery from Australia. Visited and enjoyed by tens of thousands of visitors every year it stands as a testament to Aboriginal culture and provides a glimpse into the remarkable rock art traditions of this region. Yet, most visitors are surprised to discover that rock art was still being produced at this site in the 1960s. In this paper, we explore the most recent rock art created at the Anbangbang Gallery. Most importantly, we present new evidence from a first-hand account of the paintings being created in 1963/64 and discuss the implications of these new insights for our understanding of the practice, the artists, and the social context of rock art in northern Australia.