City of Belmont - Ruth Faulkner Public Library

Reef and rainforest, an Aboriginal voice through art and story, Munganbana Norman Miller

Reef and rainforest

Munganbana Norman Miller

an Aboriginal voice through art and story

Reef and Rainforest is a unique coffee-table style book showcasing the Australian Aboriginal art of Munganbana. There are over 200 artistic works presented in a beautifully designed book. As you turn the pages of this book, you will notice the greens and blues of the rainforest, reef and rivers, as well as the red and yellow ochre of the earth. Munganbana's work embraces two World Heritage listed environments - the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and the Great Barrier Reef, along with coastal mangroves. Each of the works is accompanied by short personal and cultural stories where the artist shares his inspiration for creating the work. This contextualization of the art helps increase both appreciation and understanding of Munganbana's work in particular and Indigenous art in general. Inspired by life on the reefs and adjoining rainforest surrounding his home in North Queensland, Munganbana presents over 200 of his artistic works. Some of the paintings included in this book have attracted great interest and are part of collections around the world, including the Queensland Museum in his home state. Munganbana's art is also motivated by his commitment to reconciliation of Indigenous peoples with the broader Australian society. He blends centuries-old tradition with the present, giving his work a contemporary relevance