Bush Toys have been used as popular alternatives to materialistic culture. The movement began with Aboriginal involvement within the early days of the cattle industry in the 1940's and 1950's in Central Australia, more specifically the three East Arrernte communities of Ltyentye Apurte better known as Santa Teresa, Titjikala better known as Maryvale Station and Engawala typically referred to as Alcoota Station. Children created playthings that reflected the changing environment around them, beginning initially with miniature figures of little horses complete with saddles and men made out of mud/clay, a result of the wet season - yards and houses with fences around them and also cars with rollers made out of milk tins to push them along were also created to entertain the young. These toys that clearly indicated an association with the cattle industry, vehicle transport and cattle stations in the 1940's and 1950's that has continued to the present day were initially made by the fathers and grandfathers of the present generation.The material used for the construction of these toys today has dramatically changed to recycled materials from car dumps to discarded and unused house hold items found around the home. Although the boys and young to middle aged men that make these toys come from three communities east of Alice Springs are all closely related, it seems the primary locality of this practice has been Santa Teresa.

Justin Hayes was born on 12/2/69, his community is Ltyentye Apurte, his language is Eastern Arrente, skin name is Perrurle, his Dreaming is Ulampe (rain dreaming), country is Ntwerle (Phillipson's Bore).
Justin Hayes is a traditonal owner for the land sorrounding the Santa Teresa community. His family has always been involved in the arts, whether through music, sculpture or painting.

It was Justin who developed the 'Bush Toys' for enjoyment of the boys of the community to play stockmen and cowboys. These wire toys, motor cars, trucks and helicopters are now recognised as an art form in themselves and Justin has pieces in many national collections.

Always interested in drawing and sketching, much of the community has evidence of Justin;s early graffitti art. It was only in 2002 that Justin started to paint in the Kerringke style. Since this time his work has been avidly collected, most selling to private collections and overseas buyers.

Bush toy, helicopter, wire / metal / acrylic paint / stickers, made by Justin Hayes, Keringke Arts Aboriginal Cooperative, Northern Territory, Australia, 2003

A bush toy in the shape of a helicopter with metal rotor. Wire and metal frame encased with adhesive tape, acrylic paint, painted words 'siso' on the helicopter's tail and on the helicopter's body side frame the word 'Helimuster', plastic, various cut out commercial paraphernalia from 'Eveready', 'battery', 'Winfield', 'Pepsi', 'Diet Coke' products placed along the side and front of the bush toy and around the base of the rotor blade. An electrical light that flashes, situated along the tail frame of the Helicopter. Curved landing struts painted in black acrylic with yellow painted tips at each end. Bush Toys are widely used within the remote East Arrernte Aboriginal communities of Alcoota (Engawala Station), Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa) and Titjikala (Maryvale Station). Bush Toys reflect images of the outback and more specifically the cattle industry experience within these communities throughout several generations.

Artist: Hayes, Justin; Northern Territory; 2003

: Keringke Arts Aboriginal Cooperative;

painted onto object surface at tail ' siso' and across side 'Helimuster'. Adhered to various parts of the objects body are sections of text from commercial products 'Pepsi', Diet Coke', 'Eveready', 'Battery', 'Winfield'

2004/16/1

2003

225 mm

100 mm