Ju Ju Wilson / Two Turtles (2A)

Ju Ju was born at Mantinea Flats in the East Kimberley and was educated at Beagle Bay.  She is of the Miriuwung Gajerrong group and her Aboriginal name is Burriwee – but to everyone she is “Ju Ju”.  She is a mother of six, tour guide, much sought after cultural advisor, expert in bush tucker, bush medicines and advisor to those publishing books on these subjects.  Ju Ju has made numerous appearances on television regarding these topics including the 2008 BBC documentary “Ray Mears Goes Walkabout”.  Ju Ju is a renowned didgeridoo maker, both carves and paints boomerangs and is an authority on rock art and sacred sites and speaks five dialects fluently.

Ju Ju is a member of a well known painting family – her grandmother Sheba and her mother Freda were also artists –three generations of very talented ladies. Ju Ju’s son and grandchildren also now paint so we have many generations of Wilson artists to look forward to in the future.

Her paintings and artefacts are collected world-wide.  In 2003 Ju Ju was asked to paint trophies for the Dubai Racing Club, home of the World’s Richest Race Meeting, featuring Australian Indigenous Animals.

Ju Ju has participated in printmaking, and a lithograph described as “c. 1996 printed in red ochre, from one stone” depicting a “boab tree and mountains” was acquired by the National Gallery of Australia, from Franck Gohier (the printer of the work), Darwin, celebrating the National Gallery of Australia’s 25th anniversary, 2007.

Ju Ju favours detailed subject matter in fine palette ochre – and because of her family connections, the content of her paintings range from the land around Kununurra to Purnululu (Bungle Bungles) and the incredible rock art found in the East Kimberley region.

Ju Ju has depicted two freshwater turtles in her home country of Mantinea. The waterholes are devoid of water. However, the turtle is the totem of endurance, and these two turtles will settle themselves quietly in the dry land, conserving energy and wait until the rains come and the waterholes fill up. The significance of the story is that the turtles will stay together and survive in this harsh country. This story is connected with the togetherness and endurance required to succeed in life relationships. The Aboriginal people associate the Dreamtime spirits with animals and birds, and the creation of human life.