Agnes Kohler (nee Goongarra)
Aboriginal Kayardild Woman
"I was born soon after my people crossed over to Mornington Island. In those days the Lardil mob fostered or adopted us as their family. The Jacobs' adopted me and my sister Gay. In the 60s I was sent out to work on the mainland. I worked at Julia Creek. As I raised my family, I also adopted a few more children. Now I am surrounded by my family.
I used to muck around scribbling, drawing little houses with my kids. My children tell me to join the old people here at the Art Centre, save me from worrying, take my mind off things. It's also good to be alongside family members at the Art Centre working, creating and learning together." - Agnes Kohler
@miartdesignsArtworks
Love Rocks
"When a woman wants to catch a certain man we collect these rocks to make charms so that he is attracted to us." - Agnes Kohler
Burrkunda
"In the old days our people would make scars on our body called Burrkunda, to connect us to our family and as a sign of coming of age. Markings were made by our Elders cutting us with a sharp shell and our Mothers had to say where the marking would be on our body. Today we continue to make markings by painting paper and canvas. Together we make these markings, strengthening our connection to family and Country. Today we can share this, to a bigger world so others would know about the past." - Agnes Kohler
Burrkunda
"In the old days our people would make scars on our body called Burrkunda, to connect us to our family and as a sign of coming of age. Markings were made by our Elders cutting us with a sharp shell and our Mothers had to say where the marking would be on our body. Today we continue to make markings by painting paper and canvas. Together we make these markings, strengthening our connection to family and Country. Today we can share this, to a bigger world so others would know about the past." - Agnes Kohler
Products
Burrkunda by Agnes Kohler - Original Painting - 40.5cm (diameter)
Yarn Gallery
Love Rocks by Agnes Kohler - Original Painting - 40.5cm (diameter)
Yarn Gallery