The Legacy of Koorah Coolingah

Paintings by the child artists of Carrolup and contemporary works by Noongar artists combine to create a compelling exhibition.

During the 1940s and 1950s, under the guidance of their teacher Noel White, the children from the Western Australian Carrolup Native Settlement began art classes to alleviate the appalling conditions in which they were housed. Their work was of such a standard that the children attracted international attention and an art movement was born for the Noongar people.

The tradition of the Carrolup style has continued amongst the Noongar people and has evolved into a thriving contemporary artistic expression. Mungart Boudja is the first arts centre in Noongar country that supports artists from throughout the region. With the generosity to the Berndt Museum of Anthropology, University of Western Australia, 25 of the original works created by the stolen generation will be exhibited. The Legacy of Koorah Coolingah will also include new works created by Noongar artists in conjunction with Mungart Boodja Art Centre. These artists include Lance Chadd ‘Tjyllyungoo’, Charlie Colbung and Swag Taylor.