Felt tip pen on paper. TheOld Man. 1992

I made this page just after he died in the accident.
It is a carve peral shell around the neck. These were imbued with Law. The figure is in the shade. Waiting. Elements of this image are evident in the boys' painting.
It is a stone axe. I think this is cutting saplings for spears.
This is dogs chasing a kangaroo across the river. The influence on Peter Woodman is obvious.This is a place called (in dominant culture speak) Kitty Gap. About 200 Km east of Marble Bar on the Telfer Road.
He would be brought up to me from camp by the older boys in the morning and sat while I anxiously grappled with creating worthy and fashionable images.
I began by providing the colour. He was very clear about what tone went where.
I think the people above are cutting the tree for honey.
Whenever I was around and honey was found I noticed that an older person would intervene to prevent the bush bee's home being totally destroyed. It was carefully repaired and left for next time.

I asked what the bird meant and he wouldn't' tell me. I've found myself repeating this motif. The hunter is behind the sand hill, watching for something.
He drew this crouched over the page wearing goggle like magnifying lenses. (i did a painting of this. When I find it I will post it)
An optometrist came out on a plane one day and when I asked about the Old Mans' eyes he said that every thing that could be done had been done; he was blind and the fact he could still draw defied the facts.
The biggest challenge to my middle class art graduate sensibilities was that there was never any intention to exchange this artwork for money.
These images were done with relentless intensity to contribute to the maintenance of the Law; the songs stories and understanding that were (and continue to be) suffocated into oblivion by the dominant culture (us).