Yondee Shane Hansen
Shane Hansen, known as Yondee, is a Noongar man hailing from Western Australia and currently residing in Perth. Born in 1964 in Dumbleyung, located approximately 270 km south of Perth, he has a profound connection to the Aboriginal term 'Dambeling,' denoting a large lake near his birthplace, the largest in southwest WA, and the stories associated with it, particularly those about the Wagal (rainbow snake), which he vividly recalls from his childhood visits.
Hansen's upbringing was infused with cultural teachings from his father, encompassing hunting techniques and visual artistry exemplified through sand drawings. At the age of around 10, his interactions with his aunties along the Swan River exposed him to the practice of gathering paper bark for their artistic endeavors, initiating his artistic tutelage under older relatives renowned for their paper bark paintings.
An adept and accomplished artist, Hansen is pioneering a distinctive approach involving sand and ochres to portray the ancestral narratives and legends of his people. His repertoire also includes meticulously crafted figurative works reflecting aspects of mission life, hunting, and fauna. While his artistic presentations are abstract, they possess a distinct narrative essence. Hansen's artistic pursuits are driven by a desire to preserve the traditions imparted by his grandfather, who transmitted stories and imagery through ground paintings. Hansen perceives the transition of these portrayals into sand paintings as a means of doing justice to their significance while introducing them to novel audiences.
About the artwork
Songlines constitute a significant facet of Aboriginal culture and serve as a wellspring of inspiration for artists. They represent extensive Creation narratives that traverse the country, delineating significant geographical and sacred sites within Aboriginal culture. For contemporary Aboriginal artists, songlines are not only a wellspring of inspiration but also a repository of crucial cultural knowledge.
Within traditional Aboriginal culture, the concept of a creation era and creation ancestors is paramount. These revered ancestors traversed the country, shaping the landscape, populating it with animals, and establishing the laws that govern human society. The paths charted by these ancestors intertwine to form songlines.
