“Rainforest Shield”, 1987

James Brown

“Rainforest Shield”, 1987

Oil on canvas

Size: 133 x 123 cm

In 1987, I developed a deep fascination with locating and exploring the ancient sacred sites of the region's Indigenous peoples, particularly those associated with the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun, Bindal, Gugu Badhun, and Nywaigi cultures. My quest to "find" these sites relied heavily on word of mouth, as resources were scarce at the time. Many of these locations proved challenging to access, requiring me to scramble over crumbling hillsides and squeeze into rock overhangs, all while keeping a wary eye out for snakes and prickly underbrush. Despite the minor scratches and splinters I collected along the way, I found immense joy in my explorations, often venturing into areas that I would later realise were culturally sensitive.

The painting I created of an Aboriginal rainforest shield is not a direct representation of any specific shield, but rather a synthesis of the elements that captivated me. For instance, I incorporated chips along the shield’s outer edge, as traditional shields often bear the scars of past battles from deflected blows. Moreover, the shape of my painted shield reflects the subtle asymmetries characteristic of traditional shields, where the form is influenced by the tree buttresses from which they are often carved.

In the centre of my shield painting, I feature a circle that alludes to the slight boss traditionally left to accommodate the hand-grip on the reverse side. Surrounding this boss, I incorporated tendril-like forms reminiscent of mangrove roots, extending upward and downward. This creative choice was inspired by the arrangements I observed in local rock art, where similar designs often appeared in representations of shields. While I acknowledge that my appropriation of this motif may not be entirely well-informed, I was drawn to this imaginative interpretation while working on the piece.