Kurun Warun

Kurun Warun Paintings

Quick Facts

  • Date of Birth: 1966

  • Place of Birth: Framlingham Mission, Victoria, Australia

  • Language Group: Gunditjmara (Kirrae Whurrong)

  • Name Meaning: "Hissing Swan"

  • Region: Framlingham, Victoria; raised in the Noosa Hinterland, Queensland

  • Style of Art: Contemporary Aboriginal dot painting exploring water, land and Dreaming narratives

  • Notable Collectors: Private collectors, including Oprah Winfrey, and institutions, such as Cambridge University.

Kurun Warun is a celebrated Aboriginal artist whose name translates to "Hissing Swan" in the Kirrae Whurrong language. As a widely recognised Kurun Warun Aboriginal artist in contemporary Indigenous art, he has created mesmerising dot paintings that have found their way into collections around the world, from private admirers such as Oprah Winfrey to institutions including Cambridge University.

Discover More Aboriginal Artists

Early Life and Artistic Journey

Born in 1966 in the Framlingham Mission community, Kurun Warun draws on his Gunditjmara heritage, with family lineage tracing back to Truganini, one of the most significant figures in Tasmanian Aboriginal history. Every piece he creates is a form of storytelling, carrying the weight of culture, land, and ancestry.

Kurun Warun's connection to art began early: he exhibited his first artwork alongside his mother at age 8 in 1974. He later returned to painting in adulthood with renewed focus, drawing on a childhood spent in the Noosa Hinterland of Queensland, where he grew close to the region's rivers, stones, and natural rhythms.

That early relationship with water and land became the foundation of his style: intricate dot work built around stories of ancestral wisdom and the natural world.

Kurun Warun Paintings

The Artistic Style of Kurun Warun

As a Kurun Warun artist piece, every painting is instantly recognisable for its bold colour work and striking contrast. Red, black and white dominate much of his palette, echoing both the natural landscape and traditional Aboriginal body markings, with each colour choice carrying cultural meaning rather than being purely decorative.

Kurun Warun art consistently draws on themes of water, land, and Dreaming stories passed through generations. Framlingham, the Anglican mission-turned-Aboriginal reserve on the Hopkins River, where his mother's family is from, runs as a quiet but constant backdrop through much of this work, giving each piece a layered sense of place and history.

Explore Featured Artworks

Explore Kurun Warun's Most Loved Paintings

Some of the most requested Kurun Warun paintings in our gallery include:

Living With Water

One of his most iconic works, Kurun Warun Living With Water reflects his lifelong connection to rivers and waterways, capturing the movement and life that flows through water country.

Dry River Bed

A quieter, more contemplative piece exploring the cycles of drought and renewal that shape the land, told through layered dot work and earthy tones.

Sunset Dreaming

A warm, atmospheric piece that uses deep reds and golds to evoke the closing of the day and its place in Dreaming narratives.

Body Dance

A more rhythmic, energetic composition inspired by ceremonial movement and body markings, translated into dot patterns that seem to pulse across the canvas.

Eels Biting Stone

A striking narrative piece drawing on stories of the eels and waterholes central to Gunditjmara culture and the Framlingham region.

Water Holes

A signature piece within his water-themed body of work, mapping the waterholes that sustain both land and story across generations.

Each of these Kurun Warun paintings is available as an original, one-of-a-kind piece, and once sold, cannot be replaced with an identical work.

Kurun Warun Paintings

Exhibitions and Recognition

Kurun Warun has exhibited across some of Australia's most respected galleries, including the Noosa Regional Gallery and Parliament House in Brisbane, with further showcases in Sydney, Rome, and South Korea. These exhibitions have introduced his work to international collectors while opening space for broader conversation around Aboriginal art and Indigenous perspectives.

His family lineage connects him to other significant cultural figures, including artist Lin Onus and musician Archie Roach, as well as his great-grandmother's line back to Truganini. This heritage runs through his work, giving each painting a personal and cultural resonance that continues to draw collectors both in Australia and internationally.

Kurun Warun Art For Sale at Mandel Aboriginal Art Gallery

As the largest stockist of Kurun Warun art for sale in Australia, Mandel Aboriginal Art Gallery holds one of the widest ranges of his original paintings available anywhere, across multiple sizes and price points.

Kurun Warun prices generally range from around $3,100 to $4,900 AUD, depending on canvas size and design, with pieces available in 900mm x 1200mm, 1200mm x 1800mm, and 1230mm x 1840mm formats. Every original Kurun Warun painting for sale through our gallery comes with a certificate of authenticity, confirming it as a genuine, ethically sourced piece created directly by the artist.

Because each work is one-of-a-kind, our range of Kurun Warun for sale changes regularly. Browse the current collection above, or get in touch, and our team can help you find the right piece for your space or collection.

Shop This Week's Special

Why Buy Kurun Warun Art From Mandel Aboriginal Art Gallery?

We are the biggest seller of Kurun Warun art in Australia, with the largest available range of original pieces

Every painting includes a certificate of authenticity

Direct relationships with the artist ensure ethical sourcing

Sizes and price points to suit both first-time buyers and serious collectors

Shipping available across Australia and worldwide

Contact us or visit us in person at 673 Heidelberg Rd, Alphington VIC, or call (03) 9497 5111 to discuss the current collection, request photos of specific pieces, or ask about a painting that isn't listed online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Kurun Warun?

Kurun Warun is an Australian Aboriginal artist of Gunditjmara descent, known for his vibrant dot paintings that explore ancestral stories, cultural heritage, and deep connections to land and water.

What does "Kurun Warun" mean?

"Kurun Warun" translates to "Hissing Swan" in the Kirrae Whurrong language, reflecting both his cultural identity and artistic voice.

What themes appear most often in Kurun Warun's art?

Water is central to much of his work, alongside waterholes, rivers, ancestral journeys, and cultural songlines tied to his Gunditjmara heritage, as seen in pieces like Living With Water and Water Holes.

Are Kurun Warun's paintings authentic Aboriginal art?

Yes. Every piece is an original work created directly by the artist, and each comes with a certificate of authenticity.

What is the price range for a Kurun Warun painting?

Prices typically range from $3,100 to $4,900 AUD, depending on the piece's size and design.

Does Mandel Aboriginal Art Gallery ship Kurun Warun art internationally?

Yes, we offer shipping across Australia and worldwide for all Kurun Warun paintings purchased through our gallery.