‘Desert Lake is a book combining artistic, scientific and Indigenous views of a striking region of north-western Australia. Paruku is the place that white people call Lake Gregory. It is Walmajarri land, and its people live on their Country in the communities of Mulan and Billiluna.
The Walmajarri people of Paruku understand themselves in relation to Country, a coherent whole linking the environment, the people and the Law that governs their lives. These understandings are encompassed by the Waljirri or Dreaming and expressed through the songs, imagery and narratives of enduring traditions. Desert Lake is embedded in this broader vision of Country and provides a rich visual and cross-cultural portrait of an extraordinary part of Australia.’ Desert Lake Art Science and Stories from Paruku
A group of scientists, ecologists, artists, photographers and writers worked with the Walmajarri over an intense time in 2011 and 2012 to explore the many different ways of understanding land. The result of the interaction was the book and exhibitions in Alice Springs and Melbourne.
David participated as an artist, photographer and project supporter. Many of the works from the project were donated to Centre for Art and Environment in Reno Nevada.
The book was edited by Mandy Martin, Steve Morton, Kim Mahood and John Carty, and published by CSIRO Publishing.
- http://mandymartinartist.com/#/desert-lake-1/
- https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/6848#authorZ
- https://vimeo.com/60750528
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are warned that this page, and the above links, contain the images and voices of the deceased.
