Goongaroo Gooroola
Claude Carter
2006 | acrylic on canvas | accession number 748
purchased by the Art Board 2007 - Murdoch University Art Collection
© the artist and Mangkaja Arts Centre

Claude CARTER

born 1968, Western Australia
lives and works Bawoorooga, Fitzroy Crossing
skin name: Jangkarti
language groups: Gooniyandi/Kija

For many years well known senior Western Australian Indigenous artist, Butcher Cherel Janangoo was distressed at the lack of tradition education for those aboriginal people of the Gooniyandi heritage.

In recent years however, Cherel has mentored mid-30s Gooniyandi heritage artist, Claude Carter. Both these artists work at the Mangkaja Arts Centre in Fitzroy Crossing. As with Cherel, Carter also works on paper and canvas mediums, Carter’s work shows similarity of imagery but of a different tonal range to Cherel.

Cherel, now in his late 80s, has found great joy in finding a younger artist who is dedicated to carrying on traditional Gooniyandi iconography that may otherwise be lost to future generations.

The title of this painting, Goongaroo Gooroola is a very important waterhole (jila) in the area were Carter’s family live. This waterhole is specifically for healing and his people bath and drink there when they are sick. It is also a place for rain making. The artist’s grandmother called this place Holy Water as it brings life back to the people and the land.

Other selected artwork acquisitions