Mick Kubarkku facts for kids
Mick Kubarkku was a very important Aboriginal Australian artist. He was known for his unique style of painting, especially within the Kuninjku art movement.
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About Mick Kubarkku
Mick Kubarkku was born around 1922. His birthplace was near the Mann and Liverpool River Districts, about 50 kilometers south of Maningrida. He grew up in a very traditional way, living in rock-shelters far from European influences. Because of this, he was one of the few people who remembered how older clan members created traditional rock art paintings. Mick Kubarkku passed away on May 16, 2008.
His Artistic Journey
When Mick was about 15 years old, his father taught him how to create important cultural designs. He learned quickly, and the older members of his clan noticed his talent. They allowed him to help paint rarrk (bark paintings) for the Madayin ceremony.
Even though he started painting early, he didn't become a full-time artist until 1957. This was when he moved to Maningrida, a new government settlement. His first paintings often used a dotted style, similar to the rock art he saw when he was young.
Painting Styles and Themes
In the 1970s, Mick Kubarkku became one of the first artists to join the "homeland movement." This was a time when artists started to use more sacred designs in their artwork, moving away from just rock art elements. You can see this change in Mick's work. His style began to include more sacred patterns, like the cross-hatching often used in the Mardayin ceremony.
Other common themes in his art included:
- Abstract rarrk (bark painting designs)
- Mimi spirits (thin, long-bodied spirits from Aboriginal folklore)
- Totemic animals like turtles, kangaroos, and echidnas.
Besides painting, Mick Kubarkku also created wood carvings. These carvings often showed Mimi spirits and Yawk Yawk (mermaid-like spirits).
Where You Can See His Art
Mick Kubarkku's artwork is held in many important collections around the world. You can find his pieces in places like:
- Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth
- Australian Museum, Sydney
- Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, Australian National University, Canberra
- Djomi Museum, Maningrida
- Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin
- Museum of Contemporary Art, Arnotts Collection, Sydney
- National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
- National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Sydney
- National Museum of Australia, Canberra
- South Australian Museum, Adelaide
- The Holmes a Court Collection, Perth
- The Kelton Foundation, Santa Monica, U.S.A
