Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)

What is a Rover Thomas painting?, Catherine Carr

eng

Bibliography: pages 485-529

Thesis (PhD) - University of Wollongong, 2010.

What is a Rover Thomas painting?

Catherine Carr

Introduction : what is a Rover Thomas painting? : motivation and purpose; Sources/literary review : reception of Aboriginal art, biographcal, historical, rock art, ceremonial practices in Kimberley: Kurrirr Kurrirr ceremony; methods and materials employed by painters in the East Kimberley, painting techniques, language, skin names, country affiliations and the right to paint, Rover Thomas: contemporary painting style; Research scope and approach; Visual analysis; Geographical boundaries; Narrative; Methodology and significance of research; The research methods used; Investigations carried out; Research aims; Research limitations; Structure of thesis -- Part One: Cultural, historical and biographical : Ch. 1 : historical overview of East Kimberley : the "killing times"; Early cattle station days; impact and legislation; ration stations; the Canning Stock Route; Life on the cattle stations; Cattle station times - Rover Thomas; Plates - Chapter 1: Historical overview of the East Kimberley -- Ch. 2: Language, kinship and social organisation in the East Kimberley : introduction; Linguistic breakdown due to invasion by European settlers; Skin names and kinship affiliations; Country affiliations; "Right to paint"; Plates -- Ch. 3: Overview of rock art in the Kimberley region: introduction and definitions; The arid zone margins of the South Kimberley and Central Fitzroy River Basin rock art including the Great Sandy Desert region; Central Kimberley and Ord River Basin rock art; The Bradshaw (Gwoin Gwoin) [Gwion Gwion] rock paintings; Wandjina rock paintings; Gija/Miriwoong rock art; Fieldwork: case study: River Eel rock painting at Martins Gap; Rover Thomas and rock art traditions; Plates -- Part two: Beginnings to the contemporary art practice in the East Kimberley; Ch. 4: Biography: Rover Thomas - stockman and artist : who was Rover Thomas?; Early times - Rover Thomas: birth; name; biographical details - conflict and contention; Move to Warmun (Turkey Creek); Final days; Plates -- Rover Thomas and the Kurrirr Kurrirr ceremony : introduction: genesis of painting; Ceremonial paraphernalia: East Kimberley; The Kurrirr Kurrirr ceremony: background; Finding the Kurrirr Kurrirr; Performing the Kurrirr Kurrirr; Transition of "boards" to painting; Plates -- Ch. 6: Material culture practices, painting practice and techniques in the East Kimberley: introduction; Influences on Rover Thomas's process within the material culture practices in the Kimberley; Trade routes: Winan and Wunun; Popular designs: snakes; Boab nuts; Post 1970s; Painting materials and techniques; Binders; Painting techniques; Brushes; Painting supports; Construction of a painting: Rover Thomas ; Plates -- Part Three: Defining a Rover Thomas painting; Chapter 7: Analysis of ten Rover Thomas paintings: data sheets : introduction; Data sheets; Yilirnpirn; Lake Gregory, Western Australia 1983: Ngamarrin (the snake near Turkey Creek) 1984; Untitled 1984; Lake Argyle 1986; Frog Hollow Country, 1987; Ngarin Janu Country 1988; The burning site 1990; Cyclone Tracy 1991; Night Sky 1995; Analysis of data sheets: introduction; Surface appearance; Texture; Dotting; Brush-stroke marks; Conclusion -- Chapter 8: Rover Thomas - contemporary painting style : introduction; Desert design and style - painting; The east Kimberley style: Gija/Miriwoong painters; Style: Rover Thomas: an analysis of visual criteria; Context/mentor; Perspective; The use of the figure; Ceremonial connections; Subject matter; Use of colour: meanings; Plates -- Chapter 9: Comparisons and conclusions: Comparison of Rover Thomas' painting style characteristics to the artists of the East Kimberley; Style variations in the East Kimberley; Contentious attributions of Rover Thomas paintings; Dotting; Conclusion