As night falls during NAIDOC Week, see the Parliament House façade transformed with an illumination of the 2024 painting, Numbat Night. The stunning Numbat Night artwork is by John Prince Siddon, a Walmajarri artist based in Rubibi/Broome.
Speaking about his artwork, the artist says:
'Numbats are quiet animal. I never seen one, but I did it for their good colour. They feed on termite and ants. They same like my cat, they quiet. They come out at night where they like eating at night. Search for them in the morning but can't find it. They shy. Next time I use a torch at night to see.'
Rich in storytelling, Siddon's work weaves together contemporary life and ancestral creation stories. Influenced by the traditional Kimberley craft of boab nut carving, desert iconography, television and the characters of the Narrangkarni (Dreamtime), his style is layered, eclectic and vividly expressive. He describes this as 'all mixed up'. Through this, he reflects the deep connections that bind culture, landscape, animals and people.
You can also see Siddon's original artwork on display of level 1 Parliament House.