Arthur Koo-ekka Pambegan Jr

Wik-Mungkan
b.1936

Arthur Koo-ekka Pambegan Jr was born in 1936 and lives in Aurukun in west Cape York. He is an Elder of the Wik-Mungkan people and a member of the Winchanam ceremonial group. Although Arthur was brought up during the strict reign of Presbyterian Mission Superintendent William MacKenzie, his father was highly respected in the community. Consequently Arthur was allowed to spend some time with his family, at a time when children were separated from their parents. It was during this time that Pambegan Sr taught his son the traditional knowledge and carving techniques for the ceremonial sculptures of their people.

Arthur Jr is now passing on the traditional knowledge of the Bonefish Story Place and the Flying Fox Story Place to his own son, Alair. Arthur’s commitment to handing down the stories of his clan to future generations is strong — ‘carry it on, so the story will never die . . . They are our clan designs, not to give away, not to die away’.

Pambegan's works may be found in numerous public collections including the Queensland Art Gallery, National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Australian National Maritime Museum, and Campbelltown City Bicentennial Art Gallery.

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  See also . . .

Learn about Flying Fox Story Place.
Learn about the community of Aurukun.
Arthur Koo-ekka Pambegan Jr references