An exhibition by Dennis 'Noongali' Kickett
Image credit: The Hybrid Minds
An Exhibition by Dennis 'Noongali' Kickett
An exhibition of eleven new paintings by Noongar Balladong artist Dennis ‘Noongali’ Kickett will be presented by West Australian Opera alongside Wundig wer Wilura (Wundig and Wilura) at His Majesty’s Theatre.
Kickett’s incredible paintings are based on the story of Wundig and Wilura. An ancient Noongar story, Wundig and Wilura break the bounds of lore and custom, and their souls are banished to Mount Brown (Wongborel) and Mount Bakewell (Walwalling) in York, Western Australia.
“The legend of Mount Brown (Wongborel) and Mount Bakewell (Walwalling) is part of my dreaming and my songlines which has been handed down to me from generation to generation. For me, to paint the legend takes it to another platform where I can educate people about my songlines and my dreaming,” Kickett said.
To purchase an artwork, contact Dr Daryl 'Milo' Milovchevich: [email protected]
About the Artist | Dennis 'Noongali' Kickett
Dennis ‘Noongali’ Kickett was born in 1953 and until the age of 15 grew up in an extended Aboriginal family environment on the York Reserve in Western Australia. He is a member of the Balladong clan, a part of the Noongar tribe which is traditionally based in York and surrounding areas.
Noongali’s interest in art began in 1985 when he decided to take up painting to relieve stress. Recognition of his talent soon led to his first exhibition in 1989. Since then, Noongali has had many successful exhibitions and extensive private sales and commissions.
In 1997, Dennis established his own gallery in his hometown of York. Dennis relocated to Noosa, Queensland a few years later where he operated another successful gallery space. Returning to Perth in 2012, he established his second gallery, Yonga Boodjah Aboriginal Art Gallery, in the Swan Valley with his brother Phillip Narkle and operated it for four years. Since then, Dennis has been living and painting in York, with his works being exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally.
The Two Sons and Their Wives
Dennis 'Noongali' Kickett
SIZE 24 h x 36 w inch
MATERIALS Acrylic on Canvas
PRICE $3,500.00
The father had two sons. He decided to send his sons and their wives to live away from him to begin their
lives.
Wundig Standing on His Hill
Dennis 'Noongali' Kickett
SIZE 36 h x 24 w inch
MATERIALS Acrylic on Canvas
PRICE $2,500.00
Wundig was in his new territory looking at its beauty when he spied the beautiful Wilura. His heart leapt
with desire. She was from another family group and a forbidden love began.
Wilura Standing on Her Hill
Dennis 'Noongali' Kickett
SIZE 36 h x 24 w inch
MATERIALS Acrylic on Canvas
PRICE $2,600.00
Wilura was a proud and beautiful woman who stood tall and strong in her family group. She looked out
and saw Wundig her heart leapt for him: a love forbidden by lore.
Balladong Country Before the Hills Were Made
Dennis 'Noongali' Kickett
SIZE 36 w x 24 h inch
MATERIALS Acrylic on Canvas
PRICE $2,500.00
The land of Balladong country with wide sweeping planes, where the wild Yonga (Kangaroo) would
roam and the Balladong people would wander hunt in country and live by their ancient culture.
Mubarn Man
Dennis 'Noongali' Kickett
SIZE 36 h x 24 w inch
MATERIALS Acrylic on Canvas
PRICE $2,750.00
He was a man of great wisdom and powerful magic, the leader and elder for the Balladong people. He held the knowledge of the land and the storylines of his people. He was equally respected and feared for his power.
Mubarn Man and Wundig
Dennis 'Noongali' Kickett
SIZE 24 h x 36 w inch
MATERIALS Acrylic on Canvas
PRICE $3,000.00
The Mubarn man was angry. He sat Wundig down and told him that his love for Wilura was wrong by culture and the lore of the land. She was from the wrong ‘mob’ family group and this could not be allowed for the sake of both families. But love was greater than lore.
The Two Hills: Wongborel & Walwalling
Dennis 'Noongali' Kickett
SIZE 24 h x 36 w inch
MATERIALS Acrylic on Canvas
PRICE $2,500.00
Wundig and Wilura turned their back on the lore for their love was greater. The Mubarn man created the
two hills Wongborel (Mount Brown) and Walwalling (Mount Bakewell) to entomb the two lovers with a
river to separate them, only to come together when the two hills crumbled.
Balladong Dreaming
Dennis 'Noongali' Kickett
SIZE 24 h x 36 w inch
MATERIALS Acrylic on Canvas
PRICE $2,650.00
This is where Wundig and Wilura’s different clan groups lived in Balladong country following the lore, customs, and culture handed down through ancient songlines.
Noongali's totem 'Ningarn (The Echidna)
Dennis 'Noongali' Kickett
SIZE 24 h x 36 w inch
MATERIALS Acrylic on Canvas
PRICE $2,850.00
'Ningarn’ (the Echidna) is Noongali's totem given to him by his grandfather. It is a symbol of cultural strength, power, and identity.
Wundig's Final Resting Place on Walwalling
Dennis 'Noongali' Kickett
SIZE 24 h x 36 w inch
MATERIALS Acrylic on Canvas
PRICE $3,000.00
Wundig rests on Walwalling looking across the valley to his love Wilura. Separated until the hills return to dust and they can be together again. Walwalling is a sacred place for men’s business.
Wilura Final Resting Place on Wongborel
Dennis 'Noongali' Kickett
SIZE 24 h x 36 w inch
MATERIALS Acrylic on Canvas
PRICE $3,000.00
Wilura rests on Wongborel looking across the valley to her love Wundig. Separated until the
hills return to dust and they can be together again. Wongborel is a sacred place for women’s
business.