DENNIS ‘NOONGALI’ KICKETT EXHIBITION IN CELEBRATION OF WUNDIG WER WILURA
An exhibition of eleven new paintings by Noongar Balladong artist Dennis ‘Noongali’ Kickett will be presented by West Australian Opera alongside Wundig wer Wilura (Wundig and Wilura) at His Majesty’s Theatre.
Kickett’s incredible paintings are based on the story of Wundig and Wilura. An ancient Noongar story, Wundig and Wilura break the bounds of lore and custom, and their souls are banished to Mount Brown (Wongborel) and Mount Bakewell (Walwalling) in York, Western Australia.
“The legend of Mount Brown (Wongborel) and Mount Bakewell (Walwalling) is part of my dreaming and my songlines which has been handed down to me from generation to generation. For me, to paint the legend takes it to another platform where I can educate people about my songlines and my dreaming,” Kickett said.
West Australian Opera’s Executive Director Carolyn Chard AM said: “It is an honour to have Dennis ‘Noongali’ Kickett’s beautiful paintings showing alongside the season of Wundig wer Wilura. His paintings tell the story of this ancient Noongar legend. I encourage you to visit the exhibition before or after a performance or you can visit the theatre especially to view the exhibition”
The exhibition runs from 8 – 15 February at His Majesty’s Theatre alongside Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse’s new opera, Wundig wer Wilura, which premieres as part of Perth Festival on Friday 9 February.
Learn more about this exhibition.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Dennis ‘Noongali’ Kickett was born in 1953 and until the age of 15 grew up in an extended Aboriginal family environment on the York Reserve in Western Australia. He is a member of the Balladong clan, a part of the Noongar tribe which is traditionally based in York and surrounding areas.
Noongali’s interest in art began in 1985 when he decided to take up painting to relieve stress. Recognition of his talent soon led to his first exhibition in 1989. Since then, Noongali has had many successful exhibitions and extensive private sales and commissions.
In 1997, Dennis established his own gallery in his hometown of York. Dennis relocated to Noosa, Queensland a few years later where he operated another successful gallery space. Returning to Perth in 2012, he established his second gallery, Yonga Boodjah Aboriginal Art Gallery, in the Swan Valley with his brother Phillip Narkle and operated it for four years. Since then, Dennis has been living and painting in York, with his works being exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally.
