Cultural elder, community leader and artist Ben Galmirrl Ward’s recognisable style incorporates repeated mark making and geometric shapes employed to organic effect. Utilising natural ochres and pigments, Ward depicts memories of Miriwoong Country including sacred sites. Much of his Country has been flooded by man-made Lake Argyle, or has been destroyed by pastoralists. Ward draws attention to historical and environmental issues that are important to him and his community through the incorporation of various recognisable symbols including the nuclear waste sign which signifies protected areas. Born at Behn Creek at Argyle Downs Station, south east of Kununurra in 1949, Ben Galmirrl Ward began painting and wood carving regularly in 2011. Prior to this, he worked as a mechanic, he mustered cattle, worked as a nurse at the Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service and worked for the Aboriginal Development Commission, where, in the early 1980s, he was instrumental in the establishment of several local Miriwoong organisations including Waringarri Aboriginal Arts. Involved since its inception, Ben Galmirrl Ward has held the position as Chairperson for the Board of Directors at Waringarri Aboriginal Arts in 2012, 2013, 2015 & 2016. He has been heavily involved in land rights and community issues, including the landmark claim: Ben Ward versus the State of Western Australia, which successfully granted native title to Miriwoong people. He sees the role of his art to educate and communicate to younger, and future generations, noting that “This is Mirriwoong country, not my country, our country… It’s like a school and if we don’t teach our young ones, it will be lost.” Ben Galmirrl Ward has exhibited nationally since 2013. He was the first Indigenous artist to win the prestigious John Fries Award for emerging artists in 2015. His work is held in private and public collections including Artbank, Art Gallery of New South Wales, National Gallery of Australia, King & Wood Mallesons, Parliament House Collection, and Wesfarmers Collection.