The Town Grew Up Dancing: The Life and Art of Wenten Rubuntja by Wenten Rubuntja with Jenny Green and Tim Rowse

Book Description

Secondhand. Good condition. Wear to book corners and edges. Dust jacket has creasing at edges and at spine. Interior and binding are still very good.

The Town Grew Up Dancing is Wenten Rubuntja’s story. It provides a rare view of events that shaped the life of an Arrernte man who has made a major contribution to the art and politics of his time. Wenten was a key figure in the land rights movement in Central Australia in the mid-1970s and has since played a lively and formative role as an Aboriginal statesman in his hometown of Alice Springs. He is highly respected for the depth and breadth of his traditional knowledge and his unique skills as a negotiator.

This book reveals the humour and wisdom of an Aboriginal man skilled at engaging in both the traditional and the contemporary worlds. The story is told in Wenten’s own words – in his first language, Arrernte, with accompanying translations and Aboriginal English.

The book also includes the voices of many who have been close to Wenten, including members of his own family and others who have worked with him over the years. Additional commentary is provided by linguist and artist Jenny Green and historian Tim Rowse.

This fascinating and innovative book weaves together autobiography and biography in a powerful story of recent Indigenous history in Australia. The book features Wenten’s commentary on his paintings and photographs in colour and black and white, which vividly bring his story and Alice Springs’ colourful past to life. (book flap)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers, please note that this book may contain descriptions and/or images of people who have passed away.