Uncle Kevin explains that a journey stick would be a small token to send someone on their journey and keeping them safe on their travels. Hand carved (and burnt) from the black wattle tree, distinctive with it's two toned wood.
12cm x 2cm
#128-24
Kevin is a Wiradjuri Artist and was born and raised on the Sandhill in Narrandera NSW and have been a working Artist for well over 40 years. He is internationally renowned and has exhibited locally, Nationally and Internationally.
One of the strongest influences to his Artwork are the Wiradjuri Markings. These markings and symbols relate specifically to the Wiradjuri and where Kevin was born and raised as a child at Narrandera and Warangesda Mission at Darlington Point. There his mother and father lived in a tent on the Murrumbidgee River. In this area there was the largest Bora Ground that has ever been recorded. A Bora Ground is traditional meeting place. At Darlington Point the Bora Ground consisted of two large circles one 50 meters in diameter the other 30 meters and they were connected by a 500 meter pathway. Along this pathway there were ground carvings and 100 ornately carved trees with symbols, markings and the animals that are Totems of the Wiradjuri.
It is these Bora Ground carvings and tree carvings that are now a strong part of his artwork today.
These images are the connection to Nguurrangbang (Wiradjuri for My Land My Country My Place of Birth) and are part of what inspires him to paint. His inspiration comes from many things. Sometimes it will be the colours in a sunset or the unusual shape you will see in trees. Sometimes he paints a background and will just allow the painting to develop on its own at its own pace. Or he will already see the painting in his head and put paint to canvas and paint.