Wenten Rubuntja

Wenten Rubuntja Tjabanati The Making of a Legend

Collections
National Gallery of Australia - Canberra
National Gallery of Victoria - Melbourne
The Australian Museum Sydney NSW
Art Gallery South Australia - Adelaide
Museum and Art Gallery NT - Darwin
Parliament House Canberra ACT
Pope John Paul II - Rome Italy
Queen Elizabeth II -London UK
Robert Holmes a Court Collection WA
Yipirinya School Alice Springs NT
Aruluen Arts Centre Alice Springs NT

Artist - Barunga Statement - Parliament House Canberra 1991

Artist 'Aboriginal Peace Plan' Parliament House Canberra 1993

Awarded the AM ( Australian Medal ) 1995

Artist of the year Nadoc Aboriginal Art Awards 1999

Born in the early 1920s at Burts Well Mpweringke 55kl north of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Wenten was born into a traditional aboriginal society. His father was a senior law man and an elder of the Arrente aboriginal people. Wenten grew up in Alice Springs and as he often said “in the good old days" when white, aboriginal, afghan and chinese children were all mixed up together “.Where racial tension was almost non existent. This happy though sometimes hard childhood gave him a grounding for his future life.

Wenten attended Catholic school in Alice Springs for short periods of time although his education was very limited. The only part of school that appealed to him was art class it was here that he discovered his ability to paint. As a nephew of celebrated water colour artist Albert Namatjira whose discarded paint pots and brushes stimulated his interest in the art of water colours. His art talent was then transferred to canvas telling his traditional stories and legends.

His school years were also his introduction into the Catholic faith and he learnt to combine Christianity with his traditional beliefs.

In 1944 he worked full time for the Australian army constructing military roads and carting equipment on to trucks bound for Darwin and the war in the Pacific.

In the 1950s his greatest achievement was brick making he worked for local builder Bernie Kilgarrif. Wenten was recognised as a reliable and industrious brick maker.

Based at Hamilton Downs station north west of Alice Springs in the 1960s. He was head stockman. Driving Cattle from Alice Springs to Tennant Creek then to Western Australia. This occupation led to breaking in wild brumby horses on Undoolya station near Alice Springs

During the early 1970s Wenten’s love of alcohol became an addiction this continued for several years causing problems to his family life although he still painted during this period. The money he earnt from his paintings was continually used to service his alcohol addiction.He realised in the mid 1970s that it was either the alcohol or his life.

He gave up drinking totally at this point in time and as he said “Gave his life to country to Australia and for the reconciliation of all Australians.”

The Central lands council was formed in Alice Springs in 1974 Wenten was originally vice chairman and in 1985 was promoted to chairman after the resignation due to ill health of Charlie Perkins the renowned Aboriginal activist. Government lawyers and anthropologists were employed and instructed to work closely with Wenten Rubuntja. He also worked with the Minister for Aboriginal affairs and toured the Southern Australia states to promote Aboriginal land rights during the early 1970s.

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Wenten Rubuntja held the position of Central Land Council chairman for many years.
In 1991 the Council for Aboriginal reconcilliation Act is passed. Wenten is appointed as a founder memberby the Commonwealth Government.
He travelled constantly to Canberra to negotiate the rights of his people. For a man that could barely write a few words in the English language his negotiating techniques were amazing.

The Barunga treaty was presented in 1991 when he attended Parliament house in Canberra as Central Australian delegate alongside Northern Lands Council chairman Gularrwuy Yunipingu the treaty was to recognise Aboriginal rights and freedom.

In 1995 Wenten is made a member of the Order of Australia (AM)

In 1999 Wenten is honoured as Arist of the Year by NAIDOC the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee.

His love of all people and the good will he promoted between black and white continued until old age took its toll in 2003.

Wenten Rubuntja has liased with prime ministers Hawke, Fraser, Keating and Howard to continually promote the rights of his people His relationship with Fraser was he said "very good Fraser sat in Todd river and had billy tea with us black fellas. He was very good man “

Wenten Rubuntja’s death in 2005 was mourned by many at a State funeral given in his honour. His popularity with all Australians will be remembered for many years to come. His paintings are a constant reminder of a great artist who conveyed the culture of his people in both his traditional canvas works and his watercolours. Both art forms relating to the differences in Aboriginal and white Australian culture,but reinforcing and reconciling the love that both have for this beautiful land.

Painted Country Gallery’s director Rosemary Penrose enjoyed a very special relationship with Wenten Rubuntja over an eighteen year period. Wenten,s visits to her Gallery in Alice Springs were on a daily basis and he gave her the name Nabanati (sister ) in recognition of the dedication of her work with the Central Australian Aboriginal people especially the Arrente people. The Original Dreamtime Gallery promoted the work and culture of this extraordinary man and accomplished artist with great pride.Wenten’s art was based strongly on the Arunda / Anmatyerre culture, ancient ceremonies and their links to his country. He is sadly missed by many but his art lives on.

Quoted by Wenten Rubuntja to the writer in 1988 ‘ Painting is for History’.

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