Mundara

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MUNDARA KOORANG

Australian Aboriginal Artist, Designer, Teacher, Elder, Author

Mundara was born in 1952 in the Eora (Sydney) NSW area and is a descendant of the Gamilaroi people. Mundara’s grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother was all born in the Barwon River, Brewarrina area.

Mundara is an Internationally renowned artist and in 1995 was invited by the Australian Ambassador in Bonn, Germany to hold a major exhibition in Cologne, Germany as part of ‘Experience 95’. This exhibition opened the door for future Indigenous Contemporary artists to exhibit in Europe. Mundara recently exhibited one of his artworks in the first Australian Indigenous Exhibition in Moscow, Russia.

Mundara has had numerous major and collective exhibitions internationally and nationally and has won many art, photographic and sculpture awards. Including the inaugural ‘Sorry Day’ Poster competition, the 1999 David O’Chin Photographic Award and a highly commendation from the David Unaipon Writers Award for Mundara’s book of poems titled ‘Say your Sorry’.

The cover and illustrations for the widely used law book “Indigenous People and the Law in Australia’ was created by Mundara, as well as the illustrations for the ‘Mabo Land Rights’ Packages for law students and the community.

‘Alcheringa Spirit’ an Australian Limestone sculpture displayed in the foyer of the ATSIC Commission in Sydney was sculptured by Mundara.

In 1992 Mundara owned and operated ‘Jay’s Auto Stables’ and was recognized as one of the best spray painters in the vehicle industry. Due to illness he had to close the business and hence began his education. His first introduction to education began with a short security license course at Naamoro in Sydney were he also ran panel beating and spray courses for young Indigenous men. Shortly afterwards Mundara completed a media course at Naamoro and won a scholarship to the Center of Photography, to undertake a course in black and white photography. In 1993 Mundara completed a CABE course at the Eora College in Chippendale, Sydney, a CGE course in 1994 and a Fine Arts Course in 1995. In 1995 he won the Faculty Award for Aboriginal studies, being the first Indigenous person to do so as well as the Qantas Encouragement Award at the AJC. Mundara is also a founding member of the Sydney Institute of Technologies Alumni.

In 1996 Mundara began his Bachelors Degree in Adult Education which he completed in 1998 at the University of Technology, Sydney. Mundara was chosen in 1998 to represent the University at the International First Nations Indigenous Youth Education Conference in Wellington, New Zealand. Mundara also taught several TAFE classes during that year.

In 1999 Mundara began a Masters Degree, after completing one year into his degree Mundara became ill and discovered that he was an insulin dependant diabetic. He took 2000 off to recover and returned to the University of Technology in 2001 to restart from the beginning a Masters Degree in Indigenous Social Policy, which he has completed. Mundara is on sabbatical from a Doctorate of Education.

As an actor Mundara has appeared in the ABC’s mini series ‘Heartlands’, GP, Water Rats, Police Rescue, Wildside and a feature film called ‘Race the Sun’ starring James Belushi.

Mundara is the Managing Director of the House of Koorang Pty Ltd a wholly owned and operated Indigenous Art and Design Wholesale and Manufacturing Company. He was also a director of NIAAA at the request of the Late Dr Charles Perkins. The first product in the market place to contain the ‘Label of Authenticity’ was Mundara’s.

Mundara has a high reputation within many communities for his donatory and sponsorship activities. Sponsorships include the trophies for the South-east Queensland Indigenous Sports Awards, numerous Respite centres, the Beenleigh, Beaudesert and Logan Combined Housing, Link-up, Juvenile Justice and a multitude of state primary and high schools. Mundara is dedicated in the sponsoring of young Indigenous people in sport which includes assistance to a boxer competing in an overseas tournament and an athlete to attend the Canberra Sports Clinic.

One of Mundara’s primary passions is Copyright law and justice for Indigenous visual and performing artists. He is a firm believer in that Indigenous people can and must be in control of their own destinies. His company is the only one known at this time that pays artists 50% of the profit margin. In Mundara’s busy life he always finds time to share information on copyright law, contract building and negotiation, and all facets of beginning and operating Indigenous businesses.

Mundara has recently had one of his Dreamtime Stories published by Indigenous Press in Canberra. His book is titled ‘The Little Platypus and the Fire Spirit’.