Jan Billycan
Year Born: c.1930
Language Group: Yulparija
Skin Name: Karrimarra

Jan grew up in Ilyarra country. There are Jila in this country including Karrparti, Kawarr, Jurntiwa and Wirrguja Jila. Other places include Dodo, Kartal and Kiriwirri and Yukarri. When Jan was young she walked all around these places, with her parents.

Jan says 'In living water there is a quiet snake. Sometimes he rises up, but we sing him down, sometimes he can travel and bring rain...Ilyarra is my country. Ilyarra, where I grew up. Lots of Tali (sand dunes) and Jila in this country. This is big dog country.'

Kalaju (Alma Webou)
Year Born: c.1928
Language Group: Yulparija
Skin Name: Milangka

'Pinkalarta is my place. I was born and grew up here, this is my mothers country. It is in the Great Sandy Desert near Joanna spring on Anna Plains station close to the Canning Stock Route. This country has lots of Mayi (bush food). I lost my mummy and sister here.'

Alma cries when she paints Pinkalarta, many of her family died as a result of the severe droughts in this country in the 1960's. It forced her to leave her country with her husband and children, to make her way to Bidyadanga in the late sixties. She has had a very tragic life, and is a law woman and well respected in the community.

Alma Webou Selection

Bidyadanga - New Work: Jan Billycan

Exhibitions Index

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