Allen Munggi Stephensen

Allen is a Uwinymil man from the Wulwulam Community in the NT. As a young Indigenous man, Allen was displaced at an early age. Through art, Allen has reconnected with culture and remembers the past in the present through his work.

Allen is married to Kerry Madawyn McCarthy, a gifted artist who is continually exploring new means of expression of her stories of life and tradition in the Top End. Kerry has been a longstanding member of the Bulgul Artists, an informal collective of family and friends from Bulgul and surrounding regions in the Top End. In recent years, the group has grown and now includes 15 artists and spans 3 generations.

Allen was one of the new members to join and his talent was apparent from the very beginning. His artworks are incredibly well resolved and have caught the attention of the art world, being a finalist in a number of prestigious art prizes already.

His work is a sumptuous explosion of both saltwater and Top End colours, with miniature lines of dots revealing the hunting and trading routes travelled by the Uwinymil People. Hunting and trading are an integral part of Allen's culture. Being from a water-based community, much of that hunting is done on the water. Meanwhile, trading is done across country with other tribes. Painting has allowed Allen to reminisce and share hunting and trade stories he heard as a child.

Returning to Country is a powerful means of reconnection and renewal for many artists, and Allen has had the opportunity to sit on Country with his mob. The opportunity to reacquaint themselves with their Ancestors and share stories is a powerful experience that can lead to new creative output.

We look forward to Allen developing his obvious talent and continuing to gain recognition from the art world and collectors alike.



Copyright Kate Owen Gallery March 2023