Corban Clause Williams ©Martumili Artists

 

Corban Clause Williams is part of the art centre Martumili Artists.

“My name is Corban Clause Williams. I was born in Newman hospital. Mum, Dad, Nanna and Pop lived in Jigalong before, but they moved into town before I was born. I’m one of seven children. I grew up in Newman- this is my home. I like to travel but I worry about home. When I was younger I went to Newman Primary School and Newman Senior High School.

My Nanna and Pop used to take us out hunting for bush tucker. I’d help them make a fire and tea. Me and Pop would go out to the swamp area between Newman and Kumarina. Nan, Pop, Mum and Dad would tell funny stories about our family and make me laugh.

I work teaching Cultural Awareness with KJ (Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa, ranger organisation) teaching Cultural Awareness, and help the YMCA with youth programs. I work at Martumili too, helping to sell the paintings and get the canvas ready. With Martumili I travelled too. Gold Coast was my first big trip and [I’ve been to] Perth, Adelaide and Sydney.

I’m [also] a Martumili artist. I come to Martumili to paint about my Country, where my grandfather walked around and collected food, and visited the same rockholes I do. I paint to keep my culture and stories and share with others. Sometimes I paint with my nanna Jakayu [Biljabu] (dec.). I learn from her a little bit. My skin name is Milangka and Kaalpa (Kalypa, Canning Stock Route Well 23) is my grandfather Country. I was really happy to go see my grandfather’s Country- pukurlpa (happy). When I paint I feel like its home. Doing it on the canvas, feel like I’m standing there back at home.”

– Corban Clause Williams

 

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Collections:

  • Art Gallery of Western Australia
  • Macquaire Collection

Awards:

  • Finalist, Ramsay Art Prize 2023
  • Besting Painting by Pibara Indigenous Artist, Cossak Art Awards 2020
  • Rio Tinto Midwest Aboriginal Art Award, Midwest Arts Awards 2019
  • Best Work by an Artist under 25, Hedland Art Awards 2018

Solo Exhibitions

  • 2019 May – Kaalpa, The Port Hedland Courthouse Gallery, WA

Selected Group Exhibitions:

 

SOURCE: Martumili Artists