Born c. 1939, Barney Ellaga is a senior custodian and law-man of the Alawa community, which is situated on the upper reaches of the Cox and Arnold rivers, south of the Roper River and west of the Gulf of Carpentaria. The country is called Minyerri, Southern Arnhem Land.
His works have an indelible connection with the Dreamings related to his country, and for several sacred sites he is the Jungai (guardian), having total control over the entry by non-countrymen and maintaining the Tradition and heritage of these areas.
Barneys works are distinctive, with brilliant colour combinations and individual brushstroke style, instantly recognisable. The artists of his area, the Ngukurr community on Roper River, have gained International recognition, led by the success of the late Ginger Riley Munduwalawala as well as renowned painters Gertie Huddleston and her sister Angelina George. The amazing depictions of the landscapes of their country in fabulously modern colours and abstract imaging stand out as desirable and collectable.
The central theme in many of Barneys works is the traditional mens body paint designs used for ceremonies as well as the King Brown (snake) Dreaming, which is the story of the earth creation and is an important part of Barneys country and heritage.
Barney’s work has been widely exhibited since 1989, with many paintings going into prominent museums and public collections, including the acquisition of nine works by the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.
Selected Exhibitions
1989
Utopia & Ngukurr, Alcaston House Gallery, Melbourne
1991
Alcaston House Gallery, Melbourne
1992
Tandanya Aboriginal River Calendar, South Australia
Gulf Country, Christine Abrahams Gallery, Melbourne
Ngundungunya Artists, Hogarth Gallery, Sydney
1993
Alcaston House Gallery, Melbourne
1994
Gallerie Australis, Adelaide
Alcaston House Gallery, Melbourne
Australian Heritage Commission Art Award and Exhibition, Canberra
1995
12th National Aboriginal Art Award, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin
Hogarth Gallery, Sydney
1996
All About Art, Alcaston House Gallery, Melbourne
1997
Ngundungunya, Art for Everyone, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Bent Strit – Art of South East Arnhem Land, Alcaston House Gallery, Melbourne
1998
Recent Acquisitions, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
1999
Alawa Country, Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne
2001
Sprituality and Australian Aboriginal Art, Department of Culture, Madrid, Spain
2002
Mia Mia Gallery, Melbourne
The Contemporaries, Contemporary Artspace, Brisbane
2003
Bush Gardens of Roper River, Japingka Gallery, Fremantle
2004
“Two Senior Men”, Waterhole Aboriginal Art, Sofitel Wentworth, Sydney
2005
Waterhole Aboriginal Art, Danks Street, Sydney
Selected Collections
Kerry Stokes Collection, Perth
Laverty Collection, Sydney
Macquarie Bank Collection, Sydney
National Aboriginal Cultural Institute Inc., SA
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Northern Land Council Native Title Collection, Darwin
R.H. & A. Myer Collection, Melbourne