Yornadaiyn Woolagoodja Yornadaiyn Woolagoodja i(20423359 works by)
; Died: Ceased: 2022
Gender: Male
Heritage: Aboriginal ; Aboriginal Worora
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BiographyHistory

'Yorna (Donny) Woolagoodja is a renowned Kimberley artist whose giant Namaralay Wandjina featured in the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. He is the chairman of the Mowanjum Artists Spirit of the Wandjina Aboriginal Corporation.

'Born at Kunmunya Mission, Yorna was moved along with his family to Mowanjum, well south of their Woddorda homeland. There he watched his Elders painting the Wandjina on bark and boards, and learnt the stories of Lalai (creation).

'His father was Sam Woolagoodja, one of the last lore and medicine men of the Woddorda people. After his father’s death in 1979, Yorna took on responsibility for the land and for the passing on of cultural traditions. He became active in the pursuit of native title and leads walking and camping tours in the West Kimberley, educating younger generations in cultural lore and the importance of the land.

'Yorna co-wrote Keeping the Wandjinas Fresh (Fremantle Press 2005) and has worked on many collaborative ventures including other books and films.' (https://www.magabala.com/collections/yornadaiyn-woolagoodja

Most Referenced Works

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Yornadaiyn Woolagoodja Broome : Magabala Books , 2020 20423408 2020 single work biography

'This stunning book is a biography and a generous sharing of Yorna’s Culture and traditional beliefs. Explore the meaning of Country, Lalai (‘Creation’), Wandjina, Woongudd (the ‘Snake’), in the author’s Country in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Full of extraordinary images of the landscape, rock art, stone arrangements and the artist’s paintings, Yornadaiyn Woolagoodja is a feast for anyone interested in this rich Cultural heritage. Special feature boxes on Joonba (‘Corroborree’), Native Title, Permisson and Respect, Sugarbag, Ancestors’ Bones, Collecting Turtle and many more.' (Publication summary)

2022 highly commended New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards Indigenous Writer's Prize
2022 shortlisted Festival Awards for Literature (SA) Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature South Australian Literary Awards Award for Non-Fiction
2021 longlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Small Publishers' Adult Book of the Year
Last amended 11 Sep 2024 14:31:32
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