Perth artist celebrates Indigenous culture on Kookaburra Kaa Kaa coin

Fans of Perth-based Whadjuk-Yuet-Ballardong artist Kevin Bynder have a new opportunity to celebrate his work on our latest Australian legal tender coin.

Following the sell out of coins portraying his paintings of Maali (black swan) and Yongka (kangaroo), this new release features a kookaburra, or Kaa Kaa as it is known to the Nyoongar people of south-western Australia.

Kevin’s passion for art is matched by his desire to achieve positive outcomes for his people through education and the promotion of cross-cultural understanding. Both motives were at the heart of his decision to get involved with the Mint and our commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“The Perth Mint asked me to accompany them on their reconciliation journey,” he explained.

“I felt they were genuine about wanting to do more for Indigenous people. They commissioned a mural called Keyiny Moort (One Family) which welcomes guests to their refinery. I also painted Kwobidak Boodja (Pretty Country) for a large mosaic symbolising the connection of Traditional Owners to the land on which the Mint is built.”

During this time, Kevin was also busy creating original artwork for exclusive use on our numismatic coin release. His choice of animals reflects the knowledge of his people who have lived on Nyoongar country for tens of thousands of years. All are significant in Aboriginal culture due to the stories attached to them.

“My way of being able to pass on the knowledge I’ve learned from older family members is through my artwork,” he said.

“For people who don’t know much about it, art is one way we can get them to embrace what we know and what we do.”

The latest Kookaburra Kaa Kaa design is a case in point. A stunning example of his technique, the beady-eyed bird features markings symbolising white ochre, a natural earth pigment with which ancestors painted themselves when performing the kookaburra Dreaming dance.

The background includes coloured dots. While shades of blue represent the morning, day, and evening sky, the greens and browns denote leaves during the Nyoongar seasons of Djeran, Kambarang, Birak and Bunuru.

Struck from 2oz of pure silver with specialised coloured minting techniques that fully reflect the vibrancy of Kevin’s work, the coin is sure to be sought after in Australia, and with rapidly growing overseas interest in authentic Aboriginal art, around the globe.

“It’s not just educating people here, it’s educating people everywhere,”

 “It’s just a simple coin, but as an expression of Aboriginal art and culture, there’s something they can learn from it - and that’s an awesome thing to happen.”

“My art makes me feel I’m doing something good, helping us all move forward together,” he added.

“Knowing that the coins are bought by collectors all over the world tells me that they are learning about my culture.”

With a mintage of 2,000, the Kookaburra Kaa Kaa 2024 2oz Silver Antiqued Coloured Coin is available while stock lasts.