Author(s): Neil McLeod, Jack Dale Mengenen

Aboriginal Art

This unique book displays the powerful, rhythmic and often hypnotic artwork of Jack Dale, alongside an account of his life which provides insights into the hardships endured, his experiences of growing up in the Kimberley, and his reflections on the traditions and fate of his culture. Despite an often hard and cruel life, he is a naturally joyful man with a keen and delightful sense of humour, but the modern way of life saddens and puzzles him. He dismisses paintings done by the younger generation of Kimberley artists as 'Toyota paintings', works not born of knowledge of the law nor first hand experience of years 'foot walking' traditional country, but rather of the modern affliction of laziness, indifference and irreverence for one's own culture.The knowledge Jack has of his country in the Kimberley was acquired as he footwalked many hundreds of kilometres over the land with his grandfather. In this way he was taught the traditional law (Narrungunni) and the dreaming stories of his land; he now paints them. hen painting Jack hates any kind of distraction, and works compulsively. He shall continue to do so until it is no longer possible. Now in his late eighties neither deafness nor an imbalance problem affects his sheer determination to record his unique knowledge of the Kimberley and the stories of his people.