David Dunn
Born: 1964
Language: WIRADJURI-ENGLISH
Country: Wiradjuri Nation
Area: Trangie

Hi, my name is David Dunn; My Aboriginal name is Gaagang, which means elder brother. I come from a small town 50 miles west of Dubbo called Trangie (in Aboriginal this means quick, intercourse). I use some of the traditional symbols my father and uncles showed me but I try to use my own style. I started painting professionally in 1986, which means I have been painting for nineteen years. I remember drawing and coloring in with my mother and father when I was about five years old. I know the tradition was handed down to me then. My parents are still my inspiration to my works now. I paint from the heart and from the memories of my childhood, I have ten children, I paint a lot about them, Kids are so important. I get a lot of enjoyment out painting but the fun part is when I see other people’s expressions while they are viewing one of my works. I also paint from the heart not from a picture. I was told by an Elder from the Warburton community to paint what you feel not what you see. When I hold the brush this is all I do, someone else "(God)" does the painting; I'm just a tool.
 
EMU WALK ABOUT
 

This painting depicts the Emu (Dhinawan) walking (yanaay) around the Wiradjuri Country (nguurrambang); the country is dry and hot. The Dhinawan is looking for food (dhangang) and water (galing). The Dhinawan likes eating quandong (gwandaang. The Dhinawan is my family's totem. We are not allowed to harm or kill an Emu as this would mean we are hurting a member of our family. This painting shows six warriors protecting the Emu as he walks around there camp site, it also shows some sacred sites and the emu spirit in the top left hand corner. The three circles joined by squiggly lines represent my signature and the three rivers of the "Wiradjuri Nation", The Wambool (Macquarie), Kalar (Lachlan) and Murrumbidgerie (Murrumbidgee).