Silk Scarf - Ngamoowalem (Ivanhoe Ranges) Scarf by Ben Ward

Ben Ward’s painting practice focuses on his unique perspective of seeing and being with Country. His works employ striking triangular designs of juxtaposed coloured ochre, depicting the waterways, mountain ranges and sacred sites of his Country — and at times, issuing a pointed challenge to those who would treat sacred land as expendable.

In Ngamoowalem (Ivanhoe Ranges), the Ord River meanders across the canvas while four waterfalls mark the centre — Valentine Springs, Jaying (where his grandmothers were born), Middle Spring (Mayiba) and Black Rock Falls. The large hill Goomig rises in the background. To the top right, two circles are deliberately painted to appear as nuclear waste symbols, marking the sacred sites of Boorlgoomirri and Gigoomirri — where, during the filming of Australia, actors and crew climbed onto these hills. As Ben asks: ‘You wouldn’t walk all over a nuclear waste site?’

108cm x 103cm 16mm 100% silk satin with hand rolled edges and double sided printing.