Aboriginal artist - Jack Britten

What can we say that has not been written so many times before?

Yes, Jack is in excess of 80 years – he was born in Tickelara, he is a Kitja Lawman, he is a legendary stockman and drover, current traditional owner of Purnululu (Bungles).

He now lives in Warmun with his two “mates” Henry Wambini and Beerbee Mungnari having relocated from Frog Hollow Community where he lived after retiring.

The list of Jack’s Exhibitions, Collections and Awards is extensive – from his 1992 Museums and Art Galleries Award (best painting in European media), National Aboriginal Art Award, to his many many exhibitions and his Collections all over the world – America, Japan, Germany, and prestigious Australian private and corporate collections.

We can all read this in art publications, on the Internet etc. However, to us he is

JUST JACK –

Quietly spoken, always wearing a hat (stockman type in winter, straw in summer), the perfect gentleman. It’s just great to see him walk through the door.

He LOVES to paint – he has a passion that all great artists possess – take the brush and ochre away and Jack would cease to exist.

He puts his heart and soul into every painting – his style of late is much “softer” than the bold character of his earlier works – in particular, this is apparent in his latest work April 2002 – “Purnululu – Too Far Away”. No dotting, just his hills in the distance painted in grey ochre. When we commented on this work, which was a board he said he originally painted for himself, he asked if we would like it changed in keeping with his usual style – No, we do not – it’s a “special” piece.

He “puts up” with all the questions we ask – e.g. “Jack, did you really use kangaroo blood to bind and colour the ochre like we read about you?” “Yo” says Jack “and anything else I could find to make that one painting proper good”.

He tells us, when we were talking about his artworks all over the world, he has only attended exhibitions in Darwin, Perth and Melbourne – one of his friends let the cat out of the bag – despite Jack’s journeys on horseback from one end of Australia to the other - he hates planes.

He is a great philosopher – when we commented on the sale of the late Rover Thomas’ painting last May for $780,000 and joked “Hey, Jack, you beat Rover in competitions lots of times – how come you don’t get that sort of money?” Jack’s reply – “Aah – but neither did Rover!”

He’s a wonderful man – he’s JUST JACK.

Vale Jack Britten Monday 22 July 2002

Safe Journey old man