Tommy McRae facts for kids
Tommy McRae (around 1835–1901) was an amazing Aboriginal artist from the Upper Murray area in Australia. He is famous for his detailed drawings that show what life was like for Aboriginal people in the 1800s. His artworks are a valuable record of history and culture.
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Who Was Tommy McRae?
Tommy McRae was a member of the Wahgunyah people. His traditional lands stretched from south of the Murray River to where the Goulburn and Murray rivers meet in Victoria. His first language was Wiradjuri.
Life as a Labourer
Tommy McRae worked on large farms, called pastoral stations, in northern Victoria. While working, he drew pictures of how the new settlers lived. He was likely a stockman, someone who looks after cattle, for Andrew Hume at Brocklesby station. This was between 1849 and 1857. Later, around 1865, he worked at David Reid's station.
Other Names for Tommy McRae
Tommy McRae was also known by other names. His first drawings were collected between 1861 and 1864 by Theresa Walker. She knew him as "Tommy Barnes." He might have used the name of a farm owner, David Barnes. He was also called Yackaduna and Warraeuea.
What Did Tommy McRae Draw?
Tommy McRae created and sold books filled with his drawings. Many travelers bought these unique books from him. His art showed traditional Aboriginal life. This included special ceremonies, hunting, and fishing.
His drawings often featured people and animals as dark shapes, called silhouettes. They were set in landscapes with few trees and open land. He also drew pictures of settlers and Chinese people. One drawing even featured William Buckley, a convict who lived with the Wathaurung people for 30 years.
His Art in Books
Tommy McRae's artwork was included in the first edition of K. Langloh Parker's famous book, Australian Legendary Tales (1896). The original drawings were sent to the editor, Andrew Lang, by his brother. At first, Tommy McRae was not given credit for his work. Later, when Lang's papers were studied, an inscription on the drawings showed that Tommy McRae was the artist.
Support for Tommy McRae
In the 1860s, Tommy McRae made his home near Lake Moodemere at Wahgunyah, Victoria. Roderick Kilborn, who was a Canadian grape farmer and telegraph operator, became a big supporter of Tommy McRae. He helped protect the artist in the early 1880s.
Tommy McRae's Family
By 1885, Tommy McRae had a wife named Lily and four children. His brother and sister-in-law also lived near Lake Moodemere. Sadly, between 1890 and 1897, his children were taken from him. They were sent to special reserves by the Victorian government. Roderick Kilborn tried to stop this from happening, but he was not successful.
Tommy McRae's Legacy
Tommy McRae passed away on October 15, 1901. He was buried in the Carlyle cemetery in Wahgunyah. His amazing drawings are now kept in many important places. These include the National Museum of Australia, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Library of Australia in Canberra. You can also find his work at the State Library Victoria, the State Library of New South Wales, and the Melbourne Museum. His art helps us understand the rich history and culture of Aboriginal Australia.
