Synopsis

The film Who Paintin' Dis Wandjina? examines the impact of hundreds of spray-painted images of Wandjinas (pronounced 'wannias') in Perth and surrounds.

Wandjinas symbolise the creator of fertility and rain for the Mowanjum Aboriginal peoples in the Kimberley of northern Western Australia and are not part of the culture of the Noongar Aboriginal people of Perth in the south.

In the documentary Aboriginal elders express concern about the Wandjinas being taken to Perth. They are 'hurt' by the thoughtless use of a symbol which has to have a story and a meaning behind it in order to be replicated. "It's more than a painting, it's a lifestyle," they say. Following proper cultural protocol, only Aboriginal people who went through the law are allowed to use Wandjinas.

In Who Paintin' Dis Wandjina? director Taryne Laffar also lets the graffiti artist speak without revealing their identity.

Our people get upset when they see Wandjinas [in Perth] when it should be [in the Kimberley].

— Aboriginal elders