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1979
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Ilkawerne (El-go-an-na) , Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:Arekwarr (Wild Pigeon) Dreaming, Snake Dreaming, Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming, Country
Johnny belongs to a large family of artists. He is the son of Doreen and Harold Payne and is brother to Bronwyn, Joseph, Violet, Richard, Jimmy and Laura Payne.
In 2000, Johnny began painting for Mbantua Gallery along with other members of his family. He has painted infrequently since that time.
Johnny lives out in Utopia with his family. His wife, Alysia Jones, is also an artist.
Johnny paints the story of the wild pigeon, also known as arekwarr or arwekarr in the Anmatyerre language and it is connected to the ahakeye story. The ahakeye, called wild plum in English by Johnny, is also known as the native currant or citrus (canthium attenuatum). These are both very important stories for Johnny that belong to his country, Ilkawerne (El-go-an-na) . These stories, their songs, dances and symbols have been passed down to Johnny from his father.