The love of Art - a family tradition
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Arkie Barton Arkie is 13 years old and has been drawing and painting since she was a toddler. Arkie began painting works on canvass at four years of age. Since this time, Arkie has continued to develop her art by drawing on a range influences, perspectives and techniques. |
Robert
I was born in the late 1960's in far north western Queensland in a small country mining town called Mount Isa. I am the second youngest of five children in my immediate family but we also have a large extended family spread mainly throughout Queensland.
The Last Kalkadoon Warrior
I am a descendant of the Kalkadungu people that roamed and hunted in the hills surrounding Mount Isa. My dad, Alf Barton - a Kalkadungu Elder, was considered 'the last of the Kalkadoons' because he was the last full blood Kalkadungu left alive before he passed on in the mid 1990's. He was also the last fluent speaker of our home language Kalkatungu. Thankfully, dad passed a large part of his knowledge of country, lore and language on before he died through formal and informal means. During the early 90's the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies based at ANU in Canberra undertook a major language revival project with dad and now there are hundreds of pages of written text and almost 60 hours of audio recordings documenting our cultural property as result.
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Alf Barton Traditional Elder "Last of the Kalkadoons" Here is a portrait I painted of my dad early this year (May 2007). The medium is oil paints and printing ink on canvass. |
Making a difference
My grandmother Daisy Barton, was something of a civil rights campaigner in the 1940's. Daisy, the single mother of seven children, worked as domestic for the local mayor and cinema owner at the time, Norm Smith. While in this position, she pushed for housing for the homeless, health care for the elderly and infirm, education of local Aboriginal children and lobbied the local member for the right to vote which she was granted in 1947.
Through our art, we try to make a difference. First by creating and supporting an understanding of Aboriginal culture and people through our art, helping our many clients and friends to gain more insight into the historical and contemporary issues facing Indigenous communities. Its our path to Reconciliation using paints, brushes and canvas. On another level, we've had the very special privilege of supporting several charities through our art including the Abused Child Trust, Planet Ark, and Mission Australia. Each year we donote at least 10% of our earnings to one or more local charities.
Little brothers and didjeridoos
You may have seen or heard of my younger brother William Barton, world world reknowned didjeridoo composer and performer. For many years now, William has been working with some of the worlds most exclusive orchestras perfecting the use of the didjeridoo in harmony with western Classical music. For more information, Will's got a great site with some free downloads of his music as well as information on upcoming concerts and performances - visit Will at www.williambarton.com.au
We often get William to open our exhibitions when he's in Australia. Coupled with my mother's traditional Aboriginal chanting and wailing...makes for a memorable and deeply moving spiritual experience.
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William Barton World Reknowned Didgeridoo Performer and Composer |
From one generation to the next...
Delmae Barton Well known Aboriginal Elder and internationally acclaimed traditional Indigenous singer famous for her traditional spiritual wailing and healing chants.
A little background on our art
I have many memories of growing up as an Indigenous person in the early 1970's. At the time, I wasn't in a position to take a second or third position view on these experiences - I just lived them as they happened. As an adult however, I've taken time to reflect back on these times and this heavily informs my art work.
For more information about our art practice, please check out our page on how we create to gain a detailed insight into how develop our work.
For a precis of my artmaking experience and achievements please see my Artist Curriculum Vitae.
Our Mission
The mission that Arkie and I have set ourselves is to 'create understanding through art'. Part of this mission is to give you as much information as possible about the work, its meaning and ourselves. Learn more about the use of iconography and symbols in traditional Aboriginal art.
Visit our online art gallery for a full selection of works from our collection.
With thanks
Robert and Arkie
Like to leave a comment - please contact us.
Phone international: 61-7-3892 6759 within Australia: (07) 3892 6759
Robert Barton Art ABN: 21717889009