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 colouring 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.
This paintings depicts a fish swimming around the ocean. Its a bright and sunny day, with the reflection sparkling of the water. 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).