Jack Britten

Circa 1920 (approx)—2002 Language : Kija Sub Section : Joolama

Yalatji, Jack’s given name at birth, was born and raised in the lands to the south of Turkey Creek and west of the Bungle Bungles, in the area of Alice Downs Cattle Station, and spent his last years living not far away that very spot, at the tiny community of Frog Hollow, which he was instrumental in establishing. His first  memories include that of the camel wagon trains and their Afghan drivers with supplies for the outstations, and seeing his first motor vehicle, driven by Jack Britten, the then Hann Springs Cattle Station manager, who took young Jacky Boy, as he prefered to be called, under his wing, and taught him the fundamentals of station life. Having ‘footwalked’ most of the station country with family as a young man, his services were eagerly sought by subsequent station managers, both for his local knowledge and his ability to survive in the hostile environment of the Australan bush.

Jack’s horsemanship was legendary, and he worked as a stockman on many East Kimberley cattle stations, including Mabel Downs, Bow River, Lissadell, Texas Downs and the now defunct Tickalara, Hann Springs and Bungle Bungles cattle stations. In the wet seasons, when mustering and working the cattle became impossible, Jack would be found camped out in the goldfields of Hall’s Creek, where, with his keen eyesight, he would ‘spec’ for alluvial (surface) nuggets and gold bearing rocks, these he would trade with dealers for tobacco, flour and blankets.                                                                      

He did not paint during his years in the saddle, the inspiration apparently not coming until he was community based, perhaps, from his proximity to such artists as the late greats, Queenie McKenzie, Paddy Jampinji (Jampiny), George Mung Mung and Rover Thomas. As a senior law-man, his repertoire of the myths and legends of the gnarrangkani, dreamtime, was endless and provided a firm database for his very visual and descriptive canvasses. Jack’s insight into the myths and legends of the dreamtime, gnarrangkani, was amazing, and enabled him to reproduce hundreds of his very visual canvasses. At the time of his passing, he was a traditional custodian of the nearby Bungle Bungles National Park.

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