Alec Mingelmanganu

Alec Mingelmanganu was an exceptional Woonambal painter of Wanjina figures who preserved and revitalised ancient traditions through his striking canvases depicting ancestral beings in roughly human scale. Born around 1910 in the Kalumburu area of Western Australia, Mingelmanganu continued to uphold the tradition of safeguarding Wanjina through small-scale rock art. Wanjina beings, along with the Rainbow Serpent, were among the most significant supreme entities in the cosmology of the Aboriginal peoples of north and central Kimberley. These Creation Period beings were responsible for shaping the landscape and establishing proper conduct, guiding how humans should live. Recognised as an outstanding painter of Wanjina figures since 1975, Alec was among the first Kimberley artists to take this tradition onto canvas after being introduced to painting in 1975. At that time, major artworks were created by non-Indigenous artists, yet Mingelmanganu expressed a desire to work on a similar scale, exploring the vast possibilities of large bark sheets. His Wanjinas confront viewers with closely set eyes that appear hollow, acting as tunnels to another dimension and gateways to other worlds. The upward-curving shoulders project an aura of determination, balanced by relaxed arms that imply confidence and purpose. Mingelmanganu passed away in 1981, leaving a significant legacy in Kimberley painting traditions.

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