Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1974-1979 (Creation)
Level of description
Series
Extent and medium
20 paintings ; 25.4 x 48 cm + 3 drawings ; 26 x 50 cm.
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Dick Roughsey was born near Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1924. His name is translated from his tribal name Goobalathaldin, meaning 'water standing on end'. Brought up within the tribe, he was educated at a Presbyterian mission, subsequently returning to his people. Roughsey was assisted in his painting career through the encouragement of an Ansett pilot, Percy Trezise, and has successfully exhibited bark paintings and oils. Roughsey and Trezise collaborated for many years producing picture books which retold traditional stories. These were among the first to introduce Aboriginal culture to children. The stories include The Rainbow Serpent (1975), Banana Bird and the Snake Man (1980), about how the birds outwitted the snakes, The Magic Firesticks (1983) a legend from the Yalanji people and The Flying Fox Warriors (1985). Roughsey's richly illustrated autobiography Moon and Rainbow: the Autobiography of an Aboriginal was published in 1971. He was the first chairman of the Aboriginal Arts Board in 1973.
Name of creator
Biographical history
Pilot, painter, explorer, and writer. Born 28 January 1923 in Tallangatta, Victoria, he spent most of his life in Far North Queensland and was active in identifying Aboriginal rock art. He wrote numerous children's picture books, many in collaboration with artist Dick Roughsey; Trezise became Roughsey's brother in a traditional Aboriginal ceremony and was given the name 'Warrenby' (sometimes spelt 'Warrenbi'). He died in Cairns, Queensland on 11 May 2005.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Twenty paintings, synthetic polymer paint on paper, by Dick Roughsey and Percey Trezise. Many were proposed illustrations for The rainbow serpent (1979). Three of the paintings are accompanied by explanatory drawings.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Unrestricted access.
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright applies: Contact the Copyright Agency for licencing.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Parcel 1 [Box 4 on the solander box]
Alternative identifier(s)
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Description control area
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Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Minimal
Dates of creation revision deletion
Created, Linda Justo, 28-Aug-2023.