Today I understand and strangely enough I worked in the child protection field. I worked as an Aboriginal Community Resource Worker for a few years, ensuring when Aboriginal children came to the attention of our office for various issues (there is still a strong need to displace children from their families to ensure their safety and protection) had all avenues exhausted before non indigenous families were an option. There are a lot of wonderful carers out there, but the bottom line is that Indigenous children need to stay connected with families and their culture in a safe and protective environment.” (Raymond Walters Japanagka, 2008).

Aboriginal art has always been an important part of Raymond’s upbringing linking him to a proud history of well respected and well known artists of the Aboriginal Art World. Some of these Aboriginal artists include Jack Cooke Ngala (Grandfather), Ted Egan Jungala (Grandfather), Kudditji Kngwarreye (Grandfather), Emily Kame Kngwarreye (Grandmother-deceased), Minnie Pwerle (Grandmother-deceased), Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri (Uncle- deceased), Lindsay Bird Mpetyane (Uncle), Margaret Scobie (Aunty), Maureen Hudson Nampitjinpa (Aunty), Mitjili Napurrula (Aunty), Barbara Weir (Aunty), Kathleen Petyerre (Aunty), and Gloria Petyerre (Aunty). Raymond has a long working history in Sport & Recreation, Remote/Urban Aboriginal Community Development, Family & Child Welfare, Alcohol & Other Drugs Awareness and Consultancy on Aboriginal Community Engagement policies and procedures. So pursuing a career in Aboriginal Art wasn’t a consideration for Raymond earlier on.

“I never really considered ever wanting to be an artist, mainly because I didn’t understand enough about art on canvas. I always thought you had to study art or be an Aboriginal senior elder. I knew art was an important part of our ceremonies, and that Aboriginal art on canvas was being sold all over the world. Apart from this my knowledge was quite limited”. (Raymond Walters Japanangka, 2006).

Raymond’s culture is very important to him and he freely shares these views through his life in work and by setting these values with his own children, nephews and nieces. He spends time talking to his children about their family their country and the many Dreamtime stories from his grandparents place. continued...