Churchill Cann Australian, Gija, b. c.1945

 

Churchill was born and grew up on Texas Downs Station, North East of Warmun, where he worked as a stockman for most of his life. Churchill also travelled extensively throughout the Kimberley working on many different cattle stations between Warmun and Broome. When station work finished, Churchill moved to Warmun Community to live, where he is well known as an important ceremonial dancer, bushman and senior artist. Churchill is one of the few remaining medicine men for the Gija language group, he inhertited this role from his father. Churchill's paintings include aspects of traditional Ngarrangkarni (Dreaming) stories as well as his own experiences in this country as a stockman and station hand. When Churchill undertakes a painting he is very deliberate and will often spend quite some time reflecting and considering what aspect of his country or experience he will communicate.