Global search uncovers 70-year-old artwork created by stolen generations child in WA

An international search for works created by Australian First Nations children of the Stolen Generations has unearthed a historic piece drawn by a 13-year-old Noongar boy more than 70 years ago.

Amid calls to find missing works created by children at the Carrolup Native Settlement - where they were sent after being forcibly removed from their families in the 1940s - Manjimup resident Patrick Pemberton recognised a piece in his home that his father had purchased in 1951.

The John Curtin Gallery had a photo in their archives of the artist Ross Jones holding the same pastel drawing.

John Curtin Gallery Carrolup manager Kathleen Toomath, whose late mother Alma was the last-known surviving Carollup artist, said finding the piece meant it could be reunited with members of the artist’s family.

“You have circumstances where descendants don’t have any object or photograph of their loved one,” she said.

“Ross Jones’ family were the first people to view the work once we had it - their reaction was quite incredulous and they needed seats.”

Dr Pemberton’s father bought the work at the Foyles Art Gallery presented by London Soroptimist Club founding president Florence Rutter who arranged exhibitions across Europe during the 1950s.

Proceeds from the sales were used to purchase more drawing materials for the children at Carrolup.

Mrs Rutter recognised the significance of the works after visiting Carrolup in 1949, where teachers Noel and Lily White had found a way into the hearts of the children through art.

In the 1940s to 50s, the Carrolup Native Settlement was run under the state government as a place to locate stolen Indigenous children.

“It was about learning how to take instruction and undertake tasks and activities, which would support the pastoral industry mainly for the boys and domestic servitude for the girls,” Ms Toomath said.

She said the children being allowed to draw was unique to the Carrolup Native Settlement.

“The art gave them a sense of expression and connection to country,” she said.

“It was a very big point of difference - this wasn’t happening across other missions and settlements in Western Australia.”

The discovery comes after a selection of the collection by Carrolup children were put on display in Manchester and Glasgow in an effort to find lost works.

Ms Toomath said this was the only piece that had been recovered since the callout but Curtin University were aware of a possible piece in Minnesota.

Anyone who thinks they may have found a historic Carrolup children’s artwork can contact the Gallery via this link.

“If people do have Carrolup works in their collection we would love to connect with you because it is about finding the attribution on the work,” Ms Toomath said.

“The humble name of the child who created the work can connect families and help a generation of people reunite.”