The Door (Bungaree's dilemma)

One of 4 works commissioned for ‘Bungaree -The First Australian’ exhibition at Mosman Gallery 2012.
This artwork looks at the decline of the relationship between the British Government and Bungaree, a Garigal man from the Broken Bay coast that became one of the first Aboriginal envoys the government utilised to try to communicate with and encourage compliance. Bungaree is known by the many portraits done of him depicted in his tricorn hat and red military coat that was given to him.
He enabled Flinders safe passage when Bungaree accompanied Flinders when he circumnavigated Australia, doffing his clothes and displaying his physically signs of being an initiated man. Flinders showed great respect for Bungaree and wrote highly of him in his diaries. He was recorded as being funny and entertaining, and his services enabled ease of communications.
At first he was feted and plied with alcohol (the rum slops of the barrel) that was used as payment for his ‘services’. But soon he was discarded, and he died a broken man, destitute and an alcoholic.