Butcher Cherel
c1920 - 2009 Girndi 2008- gouache on paper
'With my eyes, my heart and with my brain I am thinking When I go to sleep night time, I might talk to myself ‘ I might do ( that one tomorrow,’ not dreaming I think about what to do next'
Butcher Cherel Janangoo was a key elder of the Gooniyandi language group in the Kimberley and was instrumental in the retention of men’s law ceremony at Muludja Community. He was one of the most important artists from that region of the Kimberley and is represented in countless National collections.
These works on paper are a selection of works from the estate held at Mangkaja Arts, which he made to preserve and transmit this significant body of cultural knowledge to the younger generation. These works have never been shown outside of Fitzroy Crossing.
Cherel was recognized as one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists. He has been listed twice as one of the 50 most collectable artists in Australia by Australian Art Collector and was declared a ‘State Living Treasure’ by the Government of Western Australia in 2004.
Source: Emilia Galatis Projects and the estate of the artist in 2024