Lost indigenous artworks returned to family of origin after two-year search

Several pieces of historical artwork have been returned to the family of the Indigenous artist who created them after a two-and-a-half year search.

The landscape art was painted at the Carrolup Aboriginal Mission (also known as Marribank) halfway between Kojonup and Katanning and kept at the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery until the artist’s family was found in Harvey.

Former Marribank inhabitant Daniel Khan was identified as the artist.

The artwork was found in a regional pub by a friend of Troy Bennell and kept at the Bunbury Regional Art Galley for about two-and-a-half years.

Mr Bennell was asked if he recognised the name of the artist, researched and tracked down where it was painted and found the artist happened to be his uncle Dan Kahn.

Mr Bennell is active in the community teaching about Aboriginal art, history and cultural knowledge through tours and performances in the South West region.

Mr Khan’s daughter Paula said she was happy when Mr Bennell, who is her cousin, surprised her with the news that he had found and obtained some art belonging to her father.

“It was strange; I just got a phone call one day from one of my cousins who said that he had something for me and surprise, it just rocked up,” she said.

Ms Khan said she was shocked and a bit emotional as it went back to her dad and his life.

“I grew up with him painting a lot around me. I have seen some of his work around and there is a lot more out there,” she said.

Ms Khan was born in Bunbury and now lives in Harvey, where her father was born, and shared that her son has similar talents to his grandfather.

“If I can organise something with Troy I would like to have it displayed somewhere and keep it in the family,” she said.