BARNEY ELLAGA

Barney is a Senior Custodian and Lawman for Alawa Country. Alawa people live on the upper reaches of the Cox and Arnold rivers, south of the Roper River and west of the Gulf of carpentaria.

Barney paints in a style where each line represents a differrent aspect of his country. This style painting can also be seen  in the rock art paintings throughout Alawa Country.

Barney's paintings are described as pure abstract works created with brilliant saturated colours, created with special brush technique and confident compositions. He combines imbalance with balance.

A central theme in Barney's work's is the traditional men's body paint designs used for important ceremonies and the patterning is also representive of the King Brown Snakeskin. The King Brown Dreaming is a story relevant to the creation myth and is an important part of Barney's country and heritage.

His work is sought after internationly and nationly. He has held several successful solo exhibitions and his work is represented in a number of major Australian public and private galleries or collections.  

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