This painting is one of a series by Kukatja/Wangkajunga man and highly regarded Australian artist Rover Thomas. The works are about the “Killing Times”, as the East Kimberley was settled and pastoral stations established. This painting depicts decapitated heads hidden in a hollow tree trunk after Aboriginal stockmen were murdered by the station owner in retaliation for killing a bullock. See this work, and the rest of the national collection, in Canberra.
For more information on this work please visit awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/InCanberra