Alan Griffiths / Joonba

A senior Ngarinyman/Ngaliwurru artist and East Kimberley Elder who started creating art in the early 1980s after years as a stockman. His meticulous ochre artworks earned national and international recognition. He began creating art in the early 1980’s and his immense talent is recognised Australia-wide and Internationally. Alan was born at Victoria River Downs Station, NT in 1933 and passed away peacefully in Kununurra surrounded by his lineage in 2018.

When the town of Kununurra emerged in 1965, Alan became a machine operator for the Government. Alan’s limited edition prints of his own corroboree “Bali Bali Balga Joonba” were instantly successful, being collected by Parliament House. He and Peggy were invited to present this corroboree at the ATSIC Art Awards Perth, with dancing headboards woven by Peggy.