Biddy and Jack Dale Mengenen
Currently on exhibition in Hobart by Euan Hills of Art mob, Biddy Dale and Jack Dale Mengenen's stunning and demonic 40-piece Argula series (2001,2002) is inspired by rock wall painting found in the Kimberly region in Western Australia of figures which act as danger signs. Jack, known as the 'grand old man of the Kimberly', passed away a few years ago. However, Euan was kind enough to pass on a few words from Jack that perfectly illustrate what the Argula is all about.
"Big mob of Argulas everwhere. This Argula lives in a cave inside the mountain. The old people say the Argula will sit on top of his cave on the mountain and shake a boab nut or colour beetle. This food is the favourite of kids living in nearby camps. The kids will run up the steep mountain to get the food; the Argula grabs them and takes them into his cave.
"This Argula is lonely and has no children. After a while, sitting inside the cave, with the stolen kids, he talks so much he makes them deaf. In the camp, the clever men are sent to look for the kids. The men shake colour lizards, the favourite food of the Argula. While he is eating the lizards, they pinch the kids back and take them to the camp, but the kids are deaf from too much talking from the Argula. A special Djunba [dance] is made to bring back the hearing of the kids"
