WARDAPI

Verified Artist Certificate of Authenticity Included
$470

Artwork Details

Medium Mixed Media, Ready to hang
Dimensions 11.8in (W) x 15.8in (H) x 0.8in (D)
Review Stars 21,275 Customer Reviews

Indigenous Art Code

As a member of the Indigenous Art Code Bluethumb is proud to have established direct partnerships with some of Australia's most respected First Nation's artists and art centres.


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Artwork Description

The Goanna is a large lizard which lives in dry climates in Australia. It acquired its name because of its resemblance to the iguana. The Aboriginal word for goanna is Wardapi in the Warlpiri language and Perente in the Pintupi language.
In the Aboriginal Art Regions of Central Australia, the Goanna is a totemic spirit and Australian Aboriginal artists paint their Goanna Dreaming to honour their ancestral spirit.

Artist Bio

Artist Statement
I was born in Cunnamulla, a small town in southwestern Queensland, on the edge of Barunggam Country. My yumba—my traditional home—is the land of the Barunggam people, who, for thousands of years, have walked gently on this Country as part of the Wakka Wakka language group. Our connection to the Darling Downs runs deep, shared with neighbouring clans like the Keinjan, Giabal, Jarowair, Bigambal, Kambuwal, and Jagara—each with their own sacred stories, songs, and traditions.

As an Aboriginal artist, my work is more than a visual experience—it is a spiritual practice, a cultural responsibility, and a personal journey. My inspiration comes from the land, from our Dreaming, and from the teachings of my wise grandad. Through him, I learned that painting is not about aesthetics—it’s about storytelling. Every line, every dot, every colour carries emotion, memory, and meaning.

I do not paint to follow trends or fit into boxes. I paint from feeling and truth. My art is a language—spoken through ochre tones, deep blues, and patterns shaped by the rhythm of Country. It is how I honour my ancestors, how I keep our stories alive, and how I share our culture with the world.

Each piece I create is a declaration:
This is who I am. This is where I come from. This is my story.

Through my work, I hope to offer a glimpse into the soul of Barunggam Country, to connect others with the strength, beauty, and resilience of Aboriginal culture. My art is a tribute to the generations who walked before me—and a message to the generations still to come.