Lillian Karadada / Gwion Gwion Rock Art (LKA03)

Lillian was born 1st May 1960 in Derby, Western Australia. She lives in Kalumburu on the beautiful Mitchell Plateau, Far North East Kimberley with her husband and daughter and small grandchildren. Lillian is a member of the famous Karadada family. She is the daughter of Rosie Karadada, a prominent artist and artefact maker who is the sister-in-law of our most famous Wandjina artist, Lily Karadada. Lillian’s father Louis, and his brother (Lily’s husband Jack), were renowned artefact makers also. The Karadada ‘clan’ are indeed a memorable dynasty of talented and influential Australians. Lillian’s sister Regina and brothers Richard and Moses are also talented and extremely well educated.

Lillian paints the Rock Art which is abundant in her region on canvas and the highly sought after eucalyptus bark and is a clever artefact maker like her mother and father, her Uncle Jack and Aunt Lily. She is a wonderful ambassador for her people, both through her artistic ability and her participation in supervising and encouraging children and teenagers to learn computer skills and other tertiary subjects.

Lillian was the winner of the Kalumburu Art Competition in 2008, as a part of the festivities of the Centennial of the Pago / Kalumburu Mission.

Gwion Gwions – Believed by the Woonumbul, Worora and Nygarijiw tribes to be the first people created by the Boss Wandjina. He gave them Law and Order to abide by. These rock art figures were discovered in the 1800’s by a pastoralist who was exploring the Kimberley. His name was Joseph Bradshaw, that’s why they are sometimes called Bradshaw figures. They are the hunting Gods, they tell us where the good places to hunt are and the places we should stay away from as well.