Mervyn Street is a senior Gooniyandi man and an award winning artist,
animator, author, illustrator, carver and painter. He was born at Louisa Downs
Station in North Western Australia. He is a finalist in the 2024 Telstra National
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards.
In 2023 he successfully led the ‘Stolen Wages’ class action against the WA
government on behalf of thousands of Aboriginal Australians who had their
wages withheld while subject to onerous legislation.
As a part of the exhibition When The Sky Fell: Legacies of the 1967
Referendum at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art in 2017 Mervyn
produced a mural over a 5 day period which illustrated his work as a
stockman and the paradox of inequalities between Indigenous and non-
Indigenous peoples at this time as well as the comaraderie between
Indigenous and non-Indigenous stockmen at the stations.
He has authored a book entitled ‘Know Your Granny’ about his country and
his language. He has also co-produced the book titled ‘At The River’ and
illustrated ‘The Girl from The Great Sandy Desert’. Mervyn has used his
artwork extensively in Muludja and Yiyili School where he teaches his
traditional language.
Mervyn is a father and grandfather, he is an important leader for art and
culture in Muludja, Yiyili and Pull Out Springs communities and is a former
Chairman of Mangkaja and Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre
(KALACC). He has taken a leadership role politically, actively promoting the
importance of retaining culture and the many benefits for Indigenous
communities to continue living in their remote homelands.
