Prey

Inktober 2020 4: “Prey”
I had a lot of fun with this one.

As before, I have continued my “Halloween” + “Aussie conservation/biodiversity” themes.

My greatest difficulty was choosing which of Australia’s monstrous megafauna to feature. I went with #Megalania prisca (also called Varanus priscus), a much larger cousin of the Komodo dragon from the Pleistocene era, who coexisted with Indigenous Australians until as recently as 50,000 years ago.

For those unfamiliar with Australian art history, this is drawn in the style of Wahgunyah man Tommy McRae of the Kwatkwat people, who lived and illustrated during the 19th century, when native people had very few rights in this country. Although remembered as Tommy, he also went by the names of Yackaduna and Warraeuea, and was able to become respected by white settlers even during his lifetime with a measure of autonomy and independence. His work frequently showed scenes of Aboriginal people hunting and other daily activities.