SOMA Magazine SOMA Film and Music Issue Aug 15 | Page 54

Feature

Sarrita King

A Fusion of Past, Present and Future
TexT by eLLeN georgiou
PhoTograPh by saviLLe cobLe

Sarrita King is an exciting second-generation Aboriginal artist
who brilliantly fuses the past, present and future of her culture
through her painting. She was born into an accomplished family of artists. Her older sister is noted artist Tarisse King and her
father is the late William King Jungala who is a highly collected
Aboriginal artist.
King’s ancestors are from the Gurindji tribe from the
Northern Territory who became noted for their courage when
200 of them walked off their jobs as stockmen and servants
at Wave Hill Cattle Station in 1966. The Gurindji Strike, as it
became known, led to a landmark case which paved the way
for more land rights claims by Aborigines. In 1975 the tribe was
granted freehold title to almost all of Wave Hill Cattle Station,
their tribal land.
It is this strong sense of self and pride that Sarrita embodies
and it is the connection to her tribal land fuels her drive to paint.
Sarrita spent most of her youth growing up in Darwin in the
Northern Territory and the inspiration for her art in without
doubt the amazing environment she grew up in, not far from
where her ancestors lived. She felt a strong connection to
her Aboriginality and her love of the land was nurtured. The
extreme weather and the landscape provided her with thematic
tools to explore in her art.
Rolling sand hills, scorching heat, strong lightning, big
storms, and arid desert are all scathing environmental factors
that shaped her forefather’s lives and also her own. She creates
fantastic energy on the canvas but there is also a strong rhythm
in all her work that is determined and controlled.
Stylistically, she utilizes traditional Aboriginal techniques
such as ‘dotting’ but also incorporates unorthodox techniques
inherited from her late father, as well as her own distinctive
style. She represents the next generation of artists who have
been influenced by both their indigenous history, and current
Western upbringing.
What are your goals as an artist?
My goal is to share the story. Many of my artworks are my father’s
stories and inspiration. He was so passionate about sharing them
with the world. Since his passing I strive every day to put more
52

artworks out in the world for people to share the stories with
their friends and family and continue my father’s legacy.
My goal is also to raise the recognition of younger artists who
are bridging their aboriginal culture and the new world we now
live in through art.
Do you recall the first time you held a paintbrush?
I actually can’t remember starting to paint. Being an artist was
something I did not set out to do, but I loved to spend time with
my father in his studio. His passion for his creations was contagious and I soon found myself engulfed and overcome by the
same passion. I sometimes see some of my early artworks in
people’s homes or collections and it brings back memories of
painting side-by-side with my father and sister. They hold a very
special place in my heart.
What do you ‘carry’ from your Aboriginal DNA?
Pride. I have been enriched by my Aboriginality through my
connection to the land and to people.. I am proud of my heritage
from both sides of my family. I am lucky to have the benefits of
both Aboriginal and Western worlds, I choose to express the
beauty of my culture and my landscape and share it will all those
seeking connection.
How do you describe your style of painting?
My style is my own. I use my father’s teaching of layering and
texture to create depth in a piece. He was always intrigued by
the micro/macro of a work and being able to appreciate the artwork as a whole while also appreciating the small details that
create the artwork. I love to use different colors and reflect on
the movement of the natural world.
What inspires you more than anything?
I am constantly inspired by the world around me. That is why
it is so important for me to be out looking at and enjoying the
country and