Wik & Kugu Arts Centre
Keith Wikmunea
Australia
Keith Wikmunea was born in 1967 in Aurukun. His first language is Wik-Alken, his second is Wik-Mungkan, and his third is English. As an artist, Keith is passionate about passing on his cultural knowledge and artistic creativity to his children and grandchildren. Keith’s vision is for Wik people to keep their culture strong and their homelands healthy. In 2023, Keith took out the Telstra Art Award for an incredible installation called ‘Theewith, Kalampang & Ku' (white cockatoo, galah & the wandering dog)’ becoming the first Cape York artist to do so since the awards began over 40 years ago.
Drawing inspiration from his clan estate of Kencharang in the heart of Apalech Country, Keith’s work is immersive and distinctively large-format. The totemic hero Theewith (white cockatoo) features strongly in most of his work as do the many stories handed down to him by his late father. As a member of the Apalech Ceremonial Clan, Keith draws heavily on his unique cultural identity that helps guide