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.
Christine's painting beautifully captures the essence of her childhood memories on the Quairading Reserve and the Badjaling mission in Western Australia. The artwork showcases women gathering around watering holes, engaging in traditional ceremonies, and foraging for bush tucker. The intricate details and vivid colours bring life to the cultural significance of these gatherings, providing a glimpse into the rich heritage of the region.
In this painting, Christine paints about her younger years growing up on the Quairading reserve and the Badjaling mission in Western Australia. The Quairading Nature Reserve encompasses 527 hectares of unique remnant vegetation, comprising a diverse mix of woodland forests and native shrubland. The open woodland areas of the Reserve feature outstanding examples of wandoo, york and salmon gum forests, which are unique to the Central Wheatbelt.
The Badjaling Mission reserve was established in 1933 for the United Aborigines Mission and originally encompassed all the land contained in DEC Reserve 23758. The reserve was the camping ground and home for about 30 Nyungar families from 1887 to 1954. It was used by local Nyungar people prior to colonisation for traditional hunting, food collecting, and camping, as it contained several freshwater sources. The Nyungar people have continued to camp in the area sporadically, even after they were officially relocated to Quairading Reserve in 1954, following the closure of the mission. The Nyungar people formally moved back to the Reserve in 1980, and the current housing was established in 1998.
