The magazine MAQ September 2018 MAQ Magazine November 2018 | Page 60

The colours that we use are vibrant, and totally unconventional to Aboriginal painting.

Before I actually sold a painting I took half a dozen on a round Australia trip to show elders, because I did not want to prostitute our art which is sacred to me.

The replies I got, said Roger, from everybody was a big tick of approval, but the best compliment I got was from a dying elder in the Kimberleys who said to me -

“I have seen what the Spirit World looks like –

and I am happy to go.”

Finding he had aboriginal blood in his veins was joy to him and his painting went from strength to strength.

He learnt his artwork was like ancient healing, the painful war memories quietened down, and a new life was begun.