Mawukura Jimmy Nerrimah

Mawukura Jimmy Nerrimah grew up in the Great Sandy Desert at a time when traditional life was nomadic and days were spent hunting, socializing and undertaking important ceremonies to nurture the relationship with his land. He moved between the main Jilas (waterholes) in his country. The importance of these Jilas remained a dominant theme of Mawukura’s paintings throughout his career.
Mawukura was a senior and traditional lawman who lived on his country until the 1960s, when he then went to work on Nerrimah Station – hence his given ‘surname’.
His works have the signature characteristics of the great desert artists located between West Kimberley and Alice Springs, with their fine optical lines and concentric circles. He paints with only two or three colours applied over a single background colour. With this somewhat singular palette however, he manages to produce almost electrifying paintings that are full of movement and echo the illusion of heat, drought and fires, centered by waterholes. Many of the circles also reflect ceremonial dancing and song lines.
The sad passing of this artist is yet again a reminder that this first generation of artists are passing all too quickly. The work of these artists is an even greater and valuable legacy as the men and women who have ‘walked their country’ provide an authentic and inspired account of the life and spirit on these lands.
Mawukura’s works are held in the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria and the Art Gallery of Western Australia. His works are held in the collections of Sir James and Lady Cruthers, Artbank, Westfarmers Ltd., Ian & Sue Bernadt, Levy Kaplan Collection (Seattle) USA, Thomas Vroom Collection (Amsterdam), and private collections in Germany, UK and Australia.
Source Mangkaja Arts and Seva Frangos Gallery, Western Australia. Mawukura Jimmy Nerrimah Exhibition website invitation.