Raymond Walters Japanangka

Raymond was born in Alice Springs November 1975.

Raymond comes from a family of well-known artists which include his grandfather Jack Cook, his grandmother the famous Emily Kngwarreye and late grandmother Minnie Pwerle, Aunties Margaret Scobie, Gloria Petyerre, Barbara Weir, and Kathleen Petyerre.

Raymond's Grandfather's country is Yuelamu (Mt Allan) and his Grandmother's country is Boundry Bore˜Alhalkerre (Utopia). His language groups are Anmatyerre and Alywarre.

Raymond has a contemporary and unique style of painting, using a wide range of colours and textures.

His art is an opportunity to share his life experiences and cultural knowledge that has been passed down from his Grandparents and extended family members.

Raymond paints three Dreamings:

Mountain Devil Lizard (Thorny Devil)

This is a contemporary style of Raymond's Grandmothers Mountain Devil Lizard Dreaming. This dreaming plays an important role in ceremony. The colours of the Mountain Devil Lizard signify ochres that were deposited during the dreamtime in specific areas that are now collected for ceremonial purposes. Raymond uses the pattern found on the back of the Mountain Devil Lizard and its habitat of Spinifex grass to create a unique painting.

Emu Dreaming

This is Raymond's interpretation of his own Emu dreaming. He paints the front breast of the adult Emu. His mixtures of bright colours add to the uniqueness of his paintings. Texture of Emu footprints and nesting sites, water holes, and other significant sites are also featured to add another dimension to his paintings. The Emu is an important part of Aboriginal ceremony. It is significant in the make up of the men's ceremonial dress. The male Emu plays the main role of nurturing its young. This is also an important role Aboriginal men play within their communities.

Water Dreaming

Using a layered textured technique Raymond has created a unique interpretation of his Grandfather's Water Dreaming. Water is an essential part of life. Tools were used to carve water signs on rocks that signified where water could be found. Raymond uses his fingers to create the Water Dreaming paintings.

Atnangkerre Growth or Bush Damper Seed

Raymond paints circles of various sizes scattered across a contrasting coloured canvas. These circles represent bush damper seed found in Atnangkerre country. The irregular placing of bold lines on the canvas convey the bush damper stem. The seed is collected and crushed into a flour that is used to make damper.

17th June 2009 from 6pm

Bay Gallery Presents:

UTOPIA AND PAPUNYA CONTEMPORARY ABORIGINAL ART

Bay Gallery Alexandra O'Brien art dealer for Contemporary Aboriginal and young British-based artists