Department of Native Affairs – Aboriginal Child Artists of Carrolup: Healing Trauma

31/01/2020

Bounding for Home by Barry Loo, watercolour and black ink on paper, 30.2 x 50.5cm, 1950. The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork, John Curtin Gallery, Curtin University.

Author: David Clark on 31/01/2020

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Carrolup and Florence Rutter, Part 4

Mrs Rutter returns to Perth after her tour of Australia and New Zealand in January 1950. She is approached by Mrs Vera Hack, who informs Florence that she is willing to drive her down to Carrolup and stay there with her as long as she likes. Florence then […]

17/04/2019

A pastel drawing, 28.5 x 22cm, by Dulcie Penney from one of her government-issued schoolbooks. The Myrtle K Benn Collection, 1947.

Author: John Stanton on 17/04/2019

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Did the Carrolup Girls Draw, Too? Yes!

People often ask me, ‘Did the girls at Carrolup draw, we only hear about the boys?’ There is a lot to say about this, much of it reflecting the punitive control the then Department of Native Affairs had over Aboriginal people’s lives, including those of the children. When […]

12/03/2019

Department of Native Affairs file on James Cooper, father of Carrolup artist Revel Cooper (p. 1).

Author: David Clark on 12/03/2019

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Revel Cooper’s Early Life

Revel Cooper became one of the most famous, if not the most famous, of the Carrolup artists. However, he lived a troubled life, despite his success as an artist. Revel spent many years in and out of prison in Western Australia and Victoria. He also suffered from a drinking problem, […]

06/03/2019

Pre-decimal Australian bank notes, Melbourne Mint, 1949.

Author: John Stanton on 06/03/2019

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Were the Children Paid for their Art?

I’m afraid the answer to this question is ‘No’! The child artists were minors at the time, as well as Wards of the State, so they couldn’t receive any money until they turned 21, the age of majority at that time. The funds earned from sales of their […]