Ben Ward: Yardanggarlm (Dingo Springs) Tea Towel
Tea Towel Artwork Story:
Ward depicts a traditional area of Miriwoong Country outside Kununura in the east Kimberley, WA. “This painting is also about ceremony for young men.” Ward maps out Country, its ranges, river systems, rocky outcrops, natural springs and even Lake Argyle through the use of vividly coloured tessellating ochre triangles. The amorphous shape in the centre of the painting, represents Yardanggarlm or Dingo Springs, a large outcrop created by the Dingo when he passed during the Dreamtime for male ceremony on his way to the Northern Territory. Ward paints for young Miriwoong people and his visual language references important cultural teachings.
Ben Ward
Artist Bio:
“I was born at Argyle Downs Station in 1949 on the banks of Behn Creek, hence my name. My family all worked on the station, and we lived there until I was 10. We walked from Argyle Station to Ivanhoe so I could go to school at the Kimberley Research Station. My parents and extended family gained work at Ivanhoe Station. My stepfather, Jeff Junarma, taught me everything I know. He took me on as his own son. My real father was a stockman at Argyle Downs Station, he was half Miriwoong and half Afghan and in those days he couldn’t claim me as his own.”
After Ben left school, he worked as a mechanic, and it was the shop owner’s wife who taught Ben how to paint in watercolour. In 1964 he worked on Carlton Station mustering cattle then later studied nursing to take a position with Kimberley Aboriginal Health Service. A great speaker, Ben has remained strongly involved in land rights and community issues. He was the critical supplicant in the landmark claim - Ben Ward versus the State of Western Australia which successfully granted native title to Miriwoong and Gajerrabeng peoples. He worked for the Aboriginal Development Commission and was instrumental in the establishment of several local Miriwoong organisations including Waringarri Aboriginal Arts. It wasn’t until 2011 after a serious car accident, that Ben began regularly painting and wood carving at the centre. His painting practice focuses from his own unique perspective, on depicting his memories of Country that he explored as a young man mustering cattle. He employs triangular designs of juxtaposed coloured ochre to depict the rivers, mountains ranges and the sacred sites of his Country while also commenting on issues that are close to his heart. In 2015 he was the first Indigenous artist to win the prestigious John Fries Award for emerging artists.
Ben has held the position as Chairperson on the Board of Directors at Waringarri Aboriginal Arts in 2012-13, 2015-2017 & 2019.
