The way of the whirlwind

The Way of the Whirlwind (1940-41) is the story of two Aboriginal children who undertake a search for their baby brother who has been taken by a whirlwind. This work was written and illustrated by sisters Mary and Elizabeth Durack. The story adapts aspects of Aboriginal Dreaming stories to give substance to their tale of a lost child and the search for him by his older siblings. It also draws upon European folk tale traditions to produce a children's fantasy with a strong Australian flavour; 'a literary folk tale in the aboriginal manner' (Saxby p.150). Rich in poetic language and lavish illustrations, both the coloured plates and the black and white line drawings combine to produce a book that was reprinted many times.

Mary and Elizabeth Durack were the daughters of Kimberley pastoralist Michael Patrick Durack and Bessie Johnstone Durack. Their depiction of outback life and Aboriginal people in much of their work is reflective of their experiences on the family's Kimberley cattle stations, Argyle and Ivanhoe, in Australia's remote north-west. It was in this region that they established distinctive and enduring relationships with the Mirriuwong-Gajerrong people of the Ord River area. The sisters' first collaboration was All-About: The Story of a Black Community on Argyle Station, Kimberley (1935).

Elizabeth Durack (1915 - 2000) became a prolific artist producing paintings, portraits and illustrations for children's books, notably Australian Legendary Tales (Sydney, Angus & Robertson, 1953) collected by K. Langloh Parker in the 1890s. Her work also included drawings of identities from the Kimberley region, large allegorical paintings and material related to her travels overseas. For services to art and literature Elizabeth Durack received the following awards; Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)in 1966 and the Order of St Michael & St George - Commanders (CMG) in 1982.

After the publication of All-About Mary Durack (1913 - 1994) worked briefly as a newspaper columnist on The West Australian. She went on to produce many articles, children's books, a novel and histories - notably the family saga Kings in Grass Castles (London, Constable, 1959) an Australian classic that has never been out of print. She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to literature in 1977 and a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1989.

The Elizabeth Durack website provides an excellent insight into the life, the extensive work, the family, and outlook of the artist. This authorized archival site also contains a significant bibliography of reviews, journal articles, exhibition catalogues, interviews, videos and conference presentations. Visit http://www.elizabethdurack.com/.

This item is reproduced courtesy of the curators of the estate of Elizabeth Durack. It may be printed or saved for research or study. Use for any other purpose requires written permission from the curators of the estate of Elizabeth Durack. To request approval, complete the Quote for Copy/Permission form.