Johnnie Targan

Johnnie has ancestry stretching from the Tiwi Islands to Fitzroy Crossing and Northern NSW.

He is thankful for the permission granted to him from Victorian elders for the use the image of the bunjul (the wedge-tailed eagle). The bunjul is the creator ancestor spirit of Victorian and Southern NSW indigenous groups. The background of the print is the main bora (ceremonial ground) for men and women. This branches off to the men’s bora ground and the women’s bora ground. The men conduct ceremonies like initiations in their bora ground while the women conduct women’s business in theirs. When they are finished they come to the main ground to settle disputes about food rights, law infringements etc. Both men and women discuss and decide on issues. Johnnie says normally four or five different groups meet at the bora ground, which is a site where there is plenty of fresh water and food.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground, Johnnie says, used to be a major bora ground and the game of Aussie Rules started with a possum skin ball!

Johnnie has a Masters Degree in Fine Art and is currently studying for a Doctorate in Philosophy.

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