This week we’re excited to share a special interview we’ve been working on for a while with one of the country’s renowned artists and water activists.

Born on the banks of the Baaka river in 1947, Uncle Badger Bates is a proud Barkindji man and an inspiration to both artists and water activists alike. He’s been a strong voice for Barkindji people, fighting for their land and water rights, and he’s also had a very successful career as an artist, using art to tell stories of the Baaka River and the decimation of this sacred place. In recognition of these achievements, Uncle Badger was awarded the prestigious Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 2024 First Nations Arts and Culture Awards. 

The Red Ochre Award was established by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board in 1993 to pay tribute to senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons for their outstanding lifetime achievement.

Badger Bates is predominantly a carver, turning his hand to wood, emu eggs, stone carving and linoprinting, but has also made sculptures out of welded steel and although he doesn’t see himself as a painter, he has completed some wonderful paintings.

It was our great honour to sit down with Uncle Badger and to share this conversation with you.