Bali Bali Balga | KA-176

DOB: 1933 – 2018

Birthplace: Victoria River Downs Station, NT

Language: Ngarinyman/Ngaliwurru

Community: Kununurra, NT

Alan was born at Victoria River Downs Station in 1933 and worked as a stockman on many stations and as head stockman on Beswick. In 1965, following emergence of the town of Kununurra, he became a machine operator for the Government.

He was one of the leading Elders in the East Kimberley, respected as a senior lawman with authority throughout the Victoria River and Kimberley regions of Western Australia where he was an artist, song man and dancer.

Alan resided in Kununurra with his wife Peggy, who is also a renowned artist. Alan started painting in the early 1980’s with his talent being recognised Australia-wide and internationally. He painted both for Waringarri Art Centre and as an independent artist.

He was one of a few selected artists whose attributes were outstanding enough to gain recognition early in the Aboriginal Art movement. His meticulous approach to his work has gained him an enviable reputation, commanding high prices for his paintings.

Alan’s limited edition prints of his own corroboree ‘Bali Bali Balga Joonba’ were instantly successful, being collected by Parliament House. He and Peggy were invited to present this corroboree at the ATSIC Art Awards Perth, with dancing headboards woven by Peggy. This now famous corroboree is danced in Kununurra annually.

The Bali Bali Balga is a traditional East Kimberley cultural ceremony that tells dreaming stories about country, the spirits and the Noongali people. The Ceremony is structured in verse, with each verse represented by a woven dance board known as a balmarra, made by Griffiths to specific designs relating to songlines. Dancers hold these balmarra aloft, performing to the accompaniment of clapping sticks and the singing of the song man. Presented by Carriageworks.

His style is totally distinctive, elegant and precise and with every painting he shares the story depicting his culture, his knowledge of the country and his diverse experience of life.

He passed away peacefully in Kununurra surrounded by his family in 2018