Art and artists
As in other Indigenous communities all over Australia, the traditional Aboriginal arts have undergone a revival in recent years and are now flourishing in Murrin Bridge. Some of its individual artists have established fine reputations but art is everywhere: on the buildings, the water tanks, and of course on the labels of Murrin Bridge Wines.
The best-known of the local artists is undoubtedly Lindsay Kirby (left), whose artwork adorns the Murrin Bridge Wines bottles and whose paintings can be found in many public buildings and private homes in the region. His paintings of Australian animals reflect both the traditional style of his Paakintji heritage and influences from Aboriginal artists of other regions. He was one of the artists contributing to the large rainbow serpent on the walls of the Lake Mungo National Park Visitors Centre. Lindsay is also a fine musician, playing the bass guitar in a well-known local dance band.
The artistic talent obviously runs in the family because other local artists include his son Lindsay "Boy" Clarke (left) and his sister Jenny Kirby (right). Lindsay Clarke's finely detailed paintings, didgeridoos and woodcarvings are in increasing demand, as is Jenny Kirby's delicately-painted pottery, made from local clay dug from the shores of nearby Lake Cargelligo.
And then there is Craig Cromelin who somehow manages to combine the running of Murrin Bridge Wines and his many other responsibilities with a steady output of arts and crafts, especially his painted emu eggs and the winestands carved from local hardwoods.
To see examples of any of these artists' work, just select their names from the menu on the right.