Keith Wikmunea

Keith Wikmunea was born in 1967 in Aurukun.  He was raised in Aurukun by his parents.  Keith is from the Language the Wik-Alken Language Group (mother’s side) and Wik-Mungkan Language Group (father’s side). His totems are the White Cookatoo, Goanna from his father’s side and the Galah and Frilled-neck lizard from this mother’s side. He also has ancestral connections to the Wild Dog Story (Ku’). Keith’s country is Kencherang (father’s side) which is south from Aurukun. There’s a large freshwater lagoon there, during the wet, the saltwater comes all the way up the creeks and floods his homeland, especially during the high tides. “There is one large creek that comes into that country which splits out into my mother’s country called Ti-tree“. When the freshwater breaks out in the wet season it joins with the creek at Kencherang and connects to the saltwater.  Keith belongs to the Ceremonial Clan Group called Apalech. He inherits this from his father’s side. His mother’s side is the Winchanam Clan. As an artist, Keith is passionate about passing on both his cultural knowledge and artistic/creative no-how to his own children and grandchildren. His vision is for Wik and Kugu people is to keep their culture strong and alive.

Keith was the Winner of the 2023 Telstra NATSIAA Art Award at the Museum & Art Gallery of Northern Territory.