![Australian Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) artwork by REX WARRIMOU (SABIO) of Omie Artists. The title is Our Creation (Ömie Creation). [17-018] (Natural Pigments on Nioge (Barkcloth))](https://media.redotgallery.com/stockroom/gallery/o/artwork/r/our-creation-ömie-creation-4761-MEDIUM-2.webp)
REX WARRIMOU (SABIO)
Our Creation (Ömie Creation)
17-018
Natural Pigments on Nioge (Barkcloth)
82 x 127cm | 32.28 x 50in (irregular)
Omie Artists
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Rex Warrimou is a strong jagor’e (law) man for the Dahorurajé clan and the son of the late Warrimou, a very important Chief who was a key figure in helping to preserve the Ömie tribe’s traditional visual arts and culture.
In the late 1940’s missionary encroachment was attempting to stamp out all traditional Ömie cultural practices and had already banned important initiation and funerary ceremonies.
The volcano Huvaemo (Mount Lamington), a highly sacred place where Ömie ancestor spirits reside, erupted in 1951 and Warrimou believed the ancestor spirits were warning his people that their culture was being lost.
In order to appease the ancestors Warrimou actively encouraged the women artists to paint the men’s tattoo designs onto barkcloth.
Still to this day, the survival of Ömie barkcloth art is largely credited to Warrimou (as well as his wife Nogi).
Warrimou instilled in his son Rex the importance of preserving and maintaining traditional cultural practices and Rex is now considered a ‘keeper’ of the profound knowledge taught to him by his father.
Rex’s traditional lands encompass the southern and eastern sides of the volcano and the surrounding mountain ranges.
With his family, Rex tirelessly watches over and cares for his lands, maintaining the vital balance of his people - his ancestors, the living and future generations - with the sacred environment from which they were created and are so intrinsically a part of.
Rex began painting his clan stories onto barkcloth in 2012.
He is married to artist Jean-Mary Warrimou (Hujama) and together they have seven children.
Rex’s sister is the Paramount Chief of Ömie women, Lila Warrimou (Misaso).
.Rex Warrimou is a strong jagor’e (law) man for the Dahorurajé clan and the son of the late Warrimou, a very important Chief who was a key figure in helping to preserve the Ömie tribe’s traditional visual arts and culture.
In the late 1940’s missionary encroachment was attempting to stamp out all traditional Ömie cultural practices and had already banned important initiation and funerary ceremonies.
The volcano Huvaemo (Mount Lamington), a highly sacred place where Ömie ancestor spirits reside, erupted in 1951 and Warrimou believed the ancestor spirits were warning his people that their culture was being lost.
In order to appease the ancestors Warrimou actively encouraged the women artists to paint the men’s tattoo designs onto barkcloth.
Still to this day, the survival of Ömie barkcloth art is largely credited to Warrimou (as well as his wife Nogi).
Warrimou instilled in his son Rex the importance of preserving and maintaining traditional cultural practices and Rex is now considered a ‘keeper’ of the profound knowledge taught to him by his father.
Rex’s traditional lands encompass the southern and eastern sides of the volcano and the surrounding mountain ranges.
With his family, Rex tirelessly watches over and cares for his lands, maintaining the vital balance of his people - his ancestors, the living and future generations - with the sacred environment from which they were created and are so intrinsically a part of.
Rex began painting his clan stories onto barkcloth in 2012.
He is married to artist Jean-Mary Warrimou (Hujama) and together they have seven children.
Rex’s sister is the Paramount Chief of Ömie women, Lila Warrimou (Misaso).
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