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 along with 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
Black swans feature on the flag and coat of arms of Western Australia. Aboriginal lore tells how the ancestors of the Noongar people, the indigenous Australians living in the south-west of the State, were once Black Swans who became men.
The bird is also the namesake for Perth’s Swan River, where the British established the Swan River Colony in 1829.
The swan’s likeness has featured on stamps, sporting team uniforms, and in the logo for Swan Brewery, built on the sacred Noongar site of Goonininup on the banks of the Swan.
