Ngurrara Canvas II: Painting as Legal Proof in Australian Native Title Claim
In 1997, more than 40 Aboriginal artists from the communities of Walmajarri, Wangkajunga, Mangala, and Juwaliny produced the Ngurrara Canvas II to support a native title claim covering 83,886 square kilometers in the Great Sandy Desert. This initiative came after the landmark Mabo v Queensland (No 2) decision on June 3, 1992, which acknowledged native title in Australia. The artwork was unveiled on May 19, 1997, at Pirnini outstation, where the artists shared their cultural narratives in four languages. In November 2007, Federal Court Justice Gilmour affirmed the existence of pre-existing native title. The Native Title Act of 1993, revised in 1998, introduced mediation processes. The now-cherished canvas sparked ethical discussions at Fitzroy Crossing's Karrayili Education Center in April 2019.
Key facts
- The Ngurrara Canvas II was painted in May 1997 by over 40 Aboriginal artists from four language groups.
- It served as legal proof for a native title claim covering 83,886 square kilometers in Western Australia's Great Sandy Desert.
- The Mabo decision on June 3, 1992, first recognized native title in Australia, rejecting terra nullius.
- Federal Court Justice Gilmour delivered the successful native title determination in November 2007.
- The Australian Native Title Tribunal was established in 1993 to mediate claims, with amendments in 1998 under John Howard.
- Aboriginal oral stories corroborate sea levels from 7,000 to 18,000 years ago, transmitted across hundreds of generations.
- The painting was presented at a tribunal plenary session on May 19, 1997, at Pirnini outstation near Fitzroy Crossing.
- ArtReview published essays on the topic on August 9, 2019, in partnership with the Sharjah Architecture Triennial.
Entities
Artists
- Adrian Lahoud
- Bill Gammage
- Bruce Pascoe
- Fred Chaney
- Gail Smiler
- Jimmy Pike
- Kurinjinpyi Ivan McPhee
- Tommy May
- Warford Pujiman
- Spider Snell
- Nyuju Stumpy Brown
- Pijaji Peter Skipper
- Nada Rawlins
- Nanyjan Charlie Nunjun
- Parlun Happy Bullen
- Jukuna Mona Chuguna
- Kulyukulyu Trixie Shaw
- Manmarriya Daisy Andrews
- Munangu Huey Bent
- Ngarta Jinny Bent
- Waninya Biddy Bonney
- Pajiman Warford Budgieman
- Raraj David Chuguna
- Tapiri Peter Clancy
- Jijijar Molly Dededar
- Purlta Maryanne Downs
- Kurtiji Peter Goodijie
- Kuji Rosie Goodjie
- Yirrpura Jinny James
- Nyangarni Penny K-Lyon
- Luurn Willy Kew
- Kapi Lucy Kubby
- Monday Kunga Kunga
- Milyinti Dorothy May
- Ngarralja Tommy May
- Murungkurr Terry Murray
- Mawukura Jimmy Nerrimah
- Ngurnta Amy Nuggett
- Japarti Joseph Nuggett
- Nanjarn Charlie Nunjun
- Yukarla Hitler Pamba
- Parlun Harry Bullen
- Kurnti Jimmy Pike
- Killer Pindan
- Miltja Thursday Pindan
- Pulikarti Honey Bulagardie
- Ngumumpa Walter Rose
- Jukuja Dolly Snell
- Ngirlpirr Spider Snell
- Mayapu Elsie Thomas
- George Tuckerbox
- Wajinya Paji Honeychild Yankarr
- John Howard
- Justice Gilmour
- John Clarke
- Karen Dayman
- Belinda Cook
- Kirsten Anker
- Michael O'Donnell
- John Carty
- Michael McMahon
- Moad Musbahi
- David Kim
Institutions
- ArtReview
- Sharjah Architecture Triennial
- Australian Native Title Tribunal
- Federal Court of Australia
- High Court of Australia
- Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency
- Kimberly Land Council
- Karrayili Education Centre
- Royal College of Art
- Liberal government
- Native Title Tribunal
- State Government of Western Australia
Locations
- Australia
- Western Australia
- Great Sandy Desert
- Fitzroy Crossing
- Pirnini
- Lampu Well
- Canning Stock Route
- Sharjah
- London
- Netherlands
- North Western Australia