An Aboriginal art centre in Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia
Nestled in the heart of the Kimberley region, Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency in Fitzroy Crossing serves as a vibrant cultural hub where history, art, and community converge. Established in 1991, Mangkaja was founded as a response to the need for a communal space where artists from the region could create, collaborate, and showcase their works. It has since become a sanctuary for artists from the diverse linguistic groups of the area, including the Walmajarri, Bunuba, Wangkajunga, Nyikina, and Gooniyandi.
The name Mangkaja, which means 'shelter' in the local Walmajarri language, symbolises the centre's role in nurturing and protecting the rich cultural heritage of these communities. These groups comprise both the desert peoples of the Great Sandy Desert and the river people along the mighty Fitzroy River. The Fitzroy River itself, a lifeblood of the region, has been a vital source of inspiration and sustenance for the Bunuba and Gooniyandi peoples, shaping their cultural narratives and everyday lives.
The artists at Mangkaja are particularly known for their vibrant acrylic paintings on canvas, which depict the vivid landscapes and significant sites of their traditional countries. These artworks are more than aesthetic expressions, they are vibrant narratives that encapsulate the Dreaming stories, historical journeys, and deep spiritual connections to the land. The migration of the desert peoples from the Great Sandy Desert, influenced by the establishment of the Canning Stock Route and the expansion of cattle stations, features prominently in these visual stories. This historical movement brought significant socio-economic changes and is a recurring theme in the art produced here.
The artworks at Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency vividly capture the essence of the artists' homelands, focusing on the landscapes and significant sites that define their cultural and spiritual heritage. Each piece is a vibrant exploration of their traditional countries, with a particular emphasis on depicting waterholes(for the desert artists) and other critical natural features that are central to their Dreaming stories and daily life.
Mangkaja's art is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of its people. Through their paintings, the artists of Mangkaja document and celebrate their ancestral stories and the landscapes of both the desert and river environments. Each piece serves as a continuation of their oral traditions, translated into visual form, ensuring that their rich histories and the complexities of their cultural identities are preserved and understood.
Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency is an important Aboriginal art centre and cornerstone in the Kimberley artistic landscape—a place where the diverse cultural strands of the desert and river peoples are woven together, creating a vibrant array of stories and histories that resonate far beyond the remote boundaries of Fitzroy Crossing.