22-1379 – Owen John Biljabu

“He’s like my cousin. His Great, Great Grandmother and mine were all sisters. Reason I paint him is everyone know him in Newman, that’s my family, that’s why I paint him”

– Owen John Biljabu

This artwork represents Corban Clause Williams, a young and popular emerging Martu Artist and young leader. The artist, Owen John (OJ) Biljabu is a proud Martu man from the Western Deserts, which range from Newman to Kunawarritji. Traditionally, Martu artists are not known for portraiture, however OJ has chosen to use traditional oil painting techniques to depict his community, other Martu artists and important figures in his life. He is currently the only member of Martumili Artists to do this, and is forging his own path with his self-taught techniques

The traditional lands of the Martu people encompass the Great Sandy Desert and Rudall River regions of Western Australia, and include speakers of Manyjilyjarra, Warnman, Kartujarra, Putijarra and Martu Wangka languages. Martumili Artists work in the Newman based gallery and studio spaces, as well as within remote Aboriginal communities Punmu, Parnngurr, Kunawarritji, Jigalong, Irrungadji (Nullagine), and Warralong. Recognised for their diverse, energetic and unmediated painting styles, their works reflect the dramatic geography and scale of their homelands. The artists are predominantly painters, working in acrylics and oils, though many also weave baskets from gathered grasses and wool. Popular mediums among younger Martu artists include photography and animation. The group proudly maintain their creative practices whilst pursuing social and cultural obligations across the Martu homelands.