TEX SKUTHORPE
Noonghaburra Teacher
Acclaimed Aboriginal Artist & Author

THE USE OF STORY TELLING IN OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Tex shows how traditional Aboriginal stories and paintings were used to convey knowledge from one generation to the next, about the environment, law and relationships.

Traditionally, all recording was in art form and law was communicated to young people through initiation, dance, stories and art. As such, all Tex’s artwork incorporates a story – some are traditional stories and others, such as his environment work, tell the story of more contemporary issues.

They reveal the hidden art of four-level storytelling, and discuss how the stories, and the way they were used, formed the basis for a sustainable society. They also explain how the Aboriginal style of leadership created resilient societies.

There are many benefits to organisations in studying the methodologies of traditional Aboriginal society and to experience some of these practices and analyse their relevance to the current work environment. In traditional Aboriginal society, knowledge was not owned or used as a power base. The teaching methodologies created in the learner a deep sense of responsibility to share the knowledge and to use it wisely and equally for the benefit of all.

The diversity of Aboriginal art reflects the diversity of the Australian landscape. Tex’s designs are unique to Noonghal country, his traditional land. Before Tex could paint Noonghaburra stories, the elders told him to find his designs in the bush. The circular design, which is such a strong feature of many of his paintings, was found only after months of searching. This pattern was revealed to Tex after cutting a small piece of bark from a Coolabah tree, and leaving it to dry. He found the circular tracks of a small insect, which helps to clean the tree.

Before Tex could use the insect’s design, he was required to show respect, by understanding its entire lifecycle – how it lived, what it needed for survival, its relationship to other people’s totems and how and why it made the design on the tree. Tex was taught that the depiction of any animal or plant required this level of intense study.

This whole process of truly experiential learning created in Tex an intimate, holistic and highly practical understanding of his country and his place within it as well as a deep sense of responsibility to use the knowledge with wisdom and respect.

An Aboriginal artist from Goodooga, Tex Skuthorpe is from the Noonbahburra people, whose traditional land is on the Narran River in north-western NSW. Being the eldest boy of the Emu and Sand Goanna totems, he was privileged to be taught much of his traditional culture by old people in the area and has continued his learning for more than 40 years. The old people taught Tex that learning comes with a high level of responsibility to share the knowledge appropriately with all groups of people.

Consequently, Tex has been sharing his knowledge with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal groups for more than 20 years. Tex has worked at all levels in numerous organisations and Government Departments. The key messages in all Tex’s work are responsibility, respect and understanding. It is this philosophy and knowledge which make Tex a highly respected and sought after consultant.

He is a consultant to the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, and to many large organisations, teaching Aboriginal culture and processes.

Tex has works hanging in the National Gallery in Canberra, as well as in many public and private collections throughout Australia.