There are now believed to be about 150 of the images in public places from freeway overpasses to pavements and walls.
Wandjina images are part of the spiritual belief system of Aborigines in the Kimberley in northern Western Australia.
Glenn Pilkington of Perth-based arts foundation Artsource believes several street artists are responsible.
"I think the biggest thing which ... concerns me coming from the perspective of an Indigenous person is more so about the protection of one's culture and people's culture which is alive and active and very current and that the imagery is being used without any consultation with the traditional custodians of that image," he said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200702/s1847673.htm
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Donny Woolagoodja, who chairs the Mowanjum Artists Spirit of the Wandjina Aboriginal Corporation, says a severe tribal punishment such as spearing is the traditional response to painting the Wandjina without permission.
But he's told The Australian he wants to meet the graffiti artist and explain the symbol's cultural significance, fearing that the painter may be bringing harmful energy upon himself or herself.
"Our culture is very powerful and our law is very powerful, so please be careful."
Woolagoodja says the graffiti artist paints the image well.
"He can paint all right, he does the Wandjina just like us."full article
http://www.abc.net.au/news/arts/articulate/200701/s1821954.htm
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Well the main theme of the SBS broadcast is that the Wandjina street-art in Perth is not culturally appropriate according to local Noongar elders and the traditional Wandjina custodians in the Kimberley. Elders keenly feel that the Wandjina is a powerful, sacred, spirit and not to be tampered with or treated "lightly". Comments are heard from Donny Woolagoodja, chairman of Mowanjum Artists Spirit of the Wandjina Aboriginal Corporation, who feels that the misuse of the Wandjina could be "spiritually harmful" to the person or persons involved.
full article
http://rosemary.id.au/view/blog/sbs-aboriginal-radio-program
List of links
- Wandjina on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/groups/wandjina/ - Wandjina on Technobohemian
http://www.flickr.com/photos/technobohemian/sets/7... - Mowanjum Artists Spirit of the Wandjina
www.mowanjumarts.com - Donny Woolagoodja
www.wandjinadonny.com - Wandjina on Myspace
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=us... - On ancient rock art including Wandjina:
http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/bradshaws/ - In particular this PDF- The Wandjina Figures:
http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/pdf/pdf/lommel5.pdf - General Perth Graffiti
http://graffitiperth.blogspot.com/
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