Christine Winmar
Christine Winmar is a Noongar woman, born in Midland, Western Australia, in 1965. Her skin name is ‘Allawah’, which is an Aboriginal term meaning "Stay here. " Christine received instruction in painting from her father, a distinguished artist and didgeridoo craftsman, who imparted many aspects and techniques of Noongar art that are evident in her current work. Subsequently, she began to experiment with various styles and techniques, bolstered by the support of her family and friends. Additionally, Christine spent several years in the Kimberley region, where she further honed her skills by integrating techniques utilised by Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.
By 1997, Christine was selling her artworks through an Aboriginal art gallery in Perth. Her inaugural joint exhibition occurred shortly thereafter, in 2005, when she, alongside fellow artists Mingi May Barnes, Geoff Lindsey, and Tjinanginy, showcased their works in Perth and Cottesloe.
In 2009, Christine presented her work alongside several other artists in the “Colours of Australia” exhibition, held in both Perth and San Francisco.
Christine engages with diverse media, including canvas, pottery, wood, and glass. She frequently employs dot techniques to create vibrant and colourful patterns.
The meanings behind her artwork
In Aboriginal culture, dolphins are often linked to the human spirit and symbolise the importance of a balanced life.
One scorching day, three children were travelling with their families. The heat was so intense that it drained everyone's energy, making it difficult to continue. The adults settled down and instructed their children to stay close and not stray. However, by day's end, the children were missing.
The adults began searching for them, tracing their footprints, which led to the edge of a cliff where they came to a sudden halt. The children were not playing in the sea and were nowhere to be seen. After running off to explore, they discovered a body of water and jumped in, thinking it was a billabong. Once they dove in, they realised their error and were pulled into the sea. They called for help in desperation, but they had strayed too far from the group for anyone to hear them.
Just then, Boomali, a sea spirit, came to their rescue. He saved the children but knew they had acted recklessly and disobeyed, so he decided to teach them a lesson by transforming them into dolphins. They could enjoy endless playtime in the sea for the rest of their lives but would never again see their families.
