Australian painting education kit:
William Barak
Wurundjeri c. 1824 - 1903
Figures in possum-skin cloaks 1898
pencil, wash, charcoal solution, gouache and earth pigments on paper
57.0 x 88.8 cm (sheet)
Purchased 1962
Historical Context
In 1835 John Batman explored land along the Yarra River.
Later that year, a party organised by John Fawkner founded Melbourne on a site
previously chosen by Batman. During this time a treaty was signed with members
of the Wurundjeri clan of the Woiwurung people. Port Phillip district was then declared
open for settlement although many squatters had already arrived from Van Diemen's Land
to start sheep farming. This marked the beginning of rapid pastoral development.
These factors had dramatic impact on Aboriginal people resulting in disposession of their
tribal land, food shortages and diseases. A Native Police force was established in 1842 to
'disperse' groups of Aboriginal people. This was disbanded in 1853 and a Board for the
Protection of Aborigines was established in 1860. By 1900 most Aboriginal people in
Victoria had been placed on reserves.
Background
His name, Ber-ak meaning 'white grub in a gum tree' was given to him by his paternal grandfather.
His mother came from the Nourailum bulluk at Murchison and his father Bebejern was an
important member of the Wurundjeri clan, whose moiety and that of his son, Barak, was Waa (crow).
As son of a clan leader, he spent his childhood in the valleys, swamps and hills of the Yarra
and Plenty Rivers as part of his training for initiation.
The arrival of white settlers on the banks of the Yarra River in 1835 was the beginning of the
destruction of the traditional life of the Wurundjeri. During this time Barak claimed to have
witnessed the signing of the treaty with John Batman and suffered the death of his father.
Despite these disruptions he received a basic education from 1837 to 1839 at Rev. George
Langhorne's mission school, where he was taught English by J. T. Smith.
In 1844 he enlisted in the Native Police force, but little is known about his life in the 1840s and 50s.
In 1863 he moved to Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve near Healesville, in his father's country.
He lived here for the rest of his life becoming leader of the Wurundjeri in 1874
and was an active spokesman for Aboriginal rights and traditional culture.
Influence
Most of Barak's drawings were completed at Coranderrk during the 1880s and 1890s.
These were produced for Europeans, to reinforce and communicate his culture,
particularly its rich ceremonial life.
His work has two main subjects, corroboree or
ceremony and lines of figures dressed in possum-skin cloaks decorated with the symbols
of Barak's clan, only revealed to the initiated. Often these two subjects are combined
with rows of dancing figures wearing the possum-skin cloaks. Native animals and trees
viewed in lateral perspective
are also often found in his designs which all have a strong linear emphasis.
Other elements which occur in Barak's works are the rainbow serpent, moving figures
with spears and emu-feather headdresses.
Technique and Materials
Barak worked on paper and cardboard with new materials such as gouache, watercolour
and pencil. He combined these with earth pigments and charcoal which were materials
of the Wurundjeri. He applied these in washes or with thick impasto to the pencil
drawing underneath. Barak probably painted on an upright surface with the paper
pinned to a wall, as shown by a photograph taken of him in 1895.
The Painting
Figures in possum-skin cloaks is an excellent example of his vigorous,
fluent drawing style which is also reliant on strong textural outline.
'This work, which retains much of the original pigments, has no background wash but includes
a line of trees, the foliage of which is painted with dry brush technique. These trees,
which form the uppermost horizontal layer in the composition, are placed at very
regular intervals between each pair of figures, their cloaks patterned alternately with vertical
and parallel meanders.'
(Judith Ryan, Gallery, March 1995, page 12.)
Considerations
- Complete the visual analysis worksheet using Barak's Figures in possum-skin cloaks.
- Research the establishment of the Coranderrk mission and the role Barak played in this.
- Research the paintings of Tommy McRae and Mickey of Ulladulla.
Compare these to the paintings of Barak.
- The work of Albert Namatjira is well known to many Australians. Barak worked prior to
Namatjira but has only recently become well known. Discuss.
- The possum-skin cloaks were worn by Aboriginal people in South Eastern Australia.
How were these made and decorated?
- Compare a painting by Barak to one completed by von Guerard from around the same time.
- Barak's painting can be seen as an affirmation of his tradition. Discuss.
- Research the Centennial exhibition held at the Royal Exhibition building in 1888.
What part did Aboriginal art play in this exhibition?
