THE RINGER FROM THE NORTH: Stewart Karmburmar Hoosan

OPENING FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER @ 6PM WITH GUEST SPEAKERS SUSAN BRADLEY & STEWART KARMBURMAR HOOSAN

Stewart Karmburmar Hoosan is Jungkayi (boss) for the Robinson Wollogorang Country belonging to the Kunindirrri- Garrwa people, the country of his ancestors. Stewart paints this country and tells the story of his incredible journey across the North as a ringer, from Queensland, across the Northern Territory and into Western Australia’s Kimberley. His artworks have attracted the attention of important collections across Australia and internationally, with the primary source and foundation for Stewart’s art being his desire to ‘tell a story’. Whether it is one of respect for this country, memories of his experiences or a strong desire to tell the stories of massacres and resistance that are part of his family’s lore.

“I need to tell the stories of how the settlers came and shot half our people and how the old fella – my great grandfather Mayawagu was fighting. I want to tell the story the of the old people, how they told us. Stories of shoot outs, poddy dodgers, the old pub and the jail. The settlers and their aboriginal wives, the mission days.”

Stewart was born at Doomagee Station in Queensland in 1951. He is a Garrwa man on his mother’s side and Gangalida from his father’s side. Stewart’s grandfather, Joe Hoosan is described as a ‘proper middle eastern man’, an Egyptian pioneer cameleer who lived in the Central Desert. Stewart grew to a young man at Calvert Hill Station and Robinson River Station where his mother worked.

Part of the Stolen Generation, from the age of 9, Stewart was taken away to work for a white man called Walter Camp. ‘They put me on a donkey first to learn how to ride and later I started bullock and horse droving’. Stewart spent time droving through Queensland and through his grandmother’s country Mindibirrina (China Wall) with Walter till he was 21. At times he said he wanted to be in the Territory, ‘I'd try and sneak back, but they would track me up’. When Stewart turned 21, he went to look for his mother who was now in Derby, Western Australia. Stewart travelled to Derby and spent 1967 to1970 there again working as a stockman for Jack Camp, Walter’s brother. Eventually, Stewart and his mother returned to Robinson River country to Wadawadla (black fellow crossing) and Wandangula (police lagoon) at Sandridge and to live with his wife Nancy McDinny and her family.

Short St Gallery is honoured to present, The Ringer from the North, with new works on paper that document and tell the story of Stewart’s life from horse racing, to droving, to massacres, to country and culture. We invite you to join us and Stewart to open the exhibition Friday 26 September @ 6pm, with guest speaker Susan Bradley. Alternatively, you can access the exhibition online, a catalogue can be obtained through enquiries@shortstgallery.com.