Angelina Karadada Australian, Wanambai, b. 1967
Wandjina, 2026
Natural ochre and pigment on canvas
15 x 50 cm
22529-26
Angelina is a Wunambal Gaambera/Worrora woman born in the remote community of Kalumburu Western Australia where she has lived all her life. Her mum is the well-known artist Lily Karadada...
Angelina is a Wunambal Gaambera/Worrora woman born in the remote community of Kalumburu Western Australia where she has lived all her life. Her mum is the well-known artist Lily Karadada and her father is Jack Karadada, a medicine man and artefacts maker - making didgeridoo and spears for hunting. "My mum used to paint on bark, bush baskets and Numarrga (bush cradle). I learnt two languages from my parents, plus other languages in my life." Maintaining language is very important to Angelina and she continues to support children learn their languages. In her recent series "Wandjina Emerging", the artist explores traditional painting mediums of white ochre, both saltwater and freshwater, which she collects herself and mixes with natural resin from the white gum tree. While laborious and strenuous activities, the artist considers the process of collecting raw materials is essential for connecting to her ancestors as she creates her extraordinary Wandjina paintings of luminous pale pink and chalky white with earthy texture. Karadada is also employed as a Senior Arts Worker at Kira Kiro Artists. She graduated from the ANKA Arts Worker Foundation Training Program and the National Gallery of Australia Wesfarmers Indigenous Leadership Fellowship in 2019. "I want to challenge myself to achieve my best. I think it is important for my whole community to have someone committed to the arts. I love doing art and running the art centre. Our art centre is very important for the community and for the younger generation to learn to be an artist. My goal is to run the Kira Kiro Artists centre independently as the main person responsible for daily activities. The younger girls come to me and ask for advice and how they can progress with their paintings and their art career. I enjoy providing them guidance and advice.