Aboriginal Fine Art

Tribe: Joolama

Area: Kimberleys, Western Australia

Born: circa 1920-2002

Biography:

The late Jack Britten was a respected Aboriginal artist and senior law man from the Kimberley region of Northern Australia. His paintings focus on his country, it’s origins, ceremonies and ancestral figures. His canvases are the result of his vast knowledge and insight into the myths and legends of his country. Jack is a part of the original Turkey Creek artists, including Rover Thomas, Hector Chundaloo, Beerbee Mungnari and Henry Wanbims.
Yalatji (Jack’s given name at birth) was born and raised in the bush in the Tickalara area just south of Turkey Creek and west of the Bungle Bungles, and also lived at Frog Hollow. His memories include sitting with family in the hills and seeing white people for the first time and of the camel wagon trains and their Afghan drivers with supplies for the outstations.
Jack did not paint during his years in the saddle. His inspiration as an artist arrived later – apparently not coming until he was based in the community, and presumably from his proximity to such artists as the late great Queenie McKenzie, Paddy Tjamatji (Jampinji), George Mung Mung and Rover Thomas.
As a senior lawman, his repertoire of the myths and legends of the gnarangani (Dreamtime) is vast and provides a firm base for his very visual and descriptive canvasses. Jack is the latest in the line of succession of traditional owners of the Bungle Bungles.
Jack’s work depicts the textured ochre painting that has characterised work of the Kimberley’s. In particular, Jack’s work reflects the Bungle Bungle country. 

Collections:

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin
Artbank, Sydney
Gifu Museum, Japan
The Holmes a Court Collection, Perth
The Kelton Foundation, Los Angeles, U.S.A.