Mangkaja Arts is located at Fitzroy Crossing, on the banks of the Fitzroy River, 400kms from Broome. Within the region there are four main language groups Gooniyandi, Bunuba, Walmajarri, Wangkajugka. The Art Centre was developed in the early 1980s and artists include Pijaju Peter Skipper, Mawukura Jimmy Nerrimah, Jukuja Dolly Snell, Tarku Rosie Tarco, Wakartu Cory Surprise, Nyilpirr Ngalyaku Spider Snell, Nyuju Stumpy Brown and others. "The main role of Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency Aboriginal Association is to relieve poverty, helplessness, distress, suffering and cultural loss."


Wakartu Cory Surprise

Following their initial migration during the first half of last century, from their desert lands to the station country in the north, the desert people moved again in the late 1960s. The introduction of equal pay laws brought about movement away from pastoral stations and into town.