Kunwinjku Aboriginal Art

Aboriginal Art, prints and original paintings in the unique style of the Kunwinjku Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory of Australia.

The Kunwinjku Aboriginal people come from Western Arnhem Land, around the Liverpool River and Mann River regions in the Northern Territory of Australia.

The images presented on this website are an excellent exhibition of Kunwinjku fine art by award-winning Aboriginal artist Leslie Nawirridj.
The artworks are his way of communicating with you about his culture, his country, and its inhabitants.
Leslie Nawirridj is a senior member of the Kunwinjku family of artists.

The artist's profile gives the artwork its authenticity and cultural identity.

Leslie Nawirridj is a traditional owner of Manddedjkadjang outstation on the Liverpool River. The outstation is a small community of Leslie's family members. His family, or tribe, have always owned these homelands. It is a "closed" community, which means that outsiders can only gain access by acquiring an entry permit.

Leslie's artwork has evolved from the Aboriginal rock art of Western Arnhem Land. The rock art was painted thousands of years ago by Leslie's ancestors, and is a priceless relic of an ancient indigenous culture.
Tourists can view approved sites by joining a guided tour.

A unique feature of Kunwinjku Aboriginal art is the fine-line cross-hatching, called rarrk. The rarrk is traditionally used for Kunwinjku Aboriginal ceremonial painting. Leslie has perfected the technique of painting rarrk, having practised it for more than 20 years.

Leslie paints rarrk by making a fine-line paint brush from the stem of a reed. The hair-like bristles are inside the stem.

The power of the paintings is in the rarrk. Leslie creates these fine lines with amazing accuracy. This is achieved freehand with great control and intense concentration. Leslie's rarrk is extremely strong and precise.

Kunwinjku Aboriginal art often shows anatomical features (internal organs and bone structures) of birds, fish and animals. This is called painting in "x-ray", and gives the artwork an interesting three-dimensional effect.

The "x-ray" style of painting captures the essence of the wildlife of Western Arnhem Land. It shows the depth of relationship between the artist and his country, and the knowledge he has of its inhabitants.

Kunwinjku rock art was the first x-ray art.

The artwork is an important facet of traditional Kunwinjku Aboriginal life. It is the traditional means of communication, used to tell stories of the people, animals and dream time handed down through the centuries by this ancient indigenous culture.

Kunwinjku Fine Art, an art business based in Darwin, in the Northern Territory of Australia, and www.kunwinjku-aboriginal-art.com website, are owned by Leslie Nawirridj, and managed by Alison Nawirridj. Leslie lives in Darwin with his wife and daughter. The information on this website has been compiled by Alison Nawirridj, as told to her by her husband, Leslie.

Kunwinjku Fine Art is a member of ANKAAA (Association of Northern Kimberley and Arnhem Aboriginal Artists).

You are welcome to browse through the online art galleries and make your purchase from the souvenir range of prints.

Or place an order for an original painting using the on-line contact form provided and acquire your piece of this unique Kunwinjku culture direct from the Aboriginal artist.

Each original painting includes a 'Certificate of Authenticity', with the Artist's Profile, and a photo of Leslie Nawirridj holding your Aboriginal artwork.

Now you can join us on Facebook and "Like" our "Kunwinjku Aboriginal Art" page at: https://www.facebook.com/kunwinjku.fine.art
Keep up with all the current happenings at Kunwinjku Fine Art and view some original paintings currently available by Leslie & other Kunwinjku family!

All prices are in Australian dollars.

Thank you for visiting this website.

All content on this website is owned by, and copyrighted to, Kunwinjku Fine Art, and cannot be reproduced without permission.

Copyright is current for 2012.

We would love to see you in Darwin, or online. Well, back to work!