111981743475

Published by on



Yok

Balang David Brian is djungkay (manager) for yok (bandicoot). The ancestral site for yok is a hill called kordeme near Buluhkaduru outstation. It is a restricted place. People used to hunt yok regularly, however they are rarely seen anymore. Lena Yarinkura explains that in the past djungkay would perform rituals at the site, calling out all different kured (country): Korlobidahdah, Mankorlod, Buluhkaduru, Ankadbarrbirri, Malyarngak, Ramingining, Ji-balbal, Ji-be – na. Baby yok would then spread throughout these areas. However, today there are no yok because djungkay have not been doing this work. Yok also has a powerful inside essence, mardayin, but this work is an ‘out – side’, public story.

Name: David Brian


Language: Rembarrnga


Community: Maningrida


Biography:

Balang David Brian is a painter and sculptor. He is Rembarrnga and Kune and lives and works at his outstation Ankabarrbirri. Brian learned under the guidance of his parents, renowned artists Kamarrang Bob Burruwal and Godjan Lena Yarinkura. He specialises in making mako (didjeridu) and more recently bark painting. Whilst Brian has developed his own approach distinct style, the influence of his father and uncle, Les Mirrikkyriya, is evident in his colour palette and designs. Common motifs in his works include yok (bandicoot), man-ngalinj (bush potato), quicksand at Kinoedjanga, barlangu (shark) and wankurr (sacred dilly bag).


© the artist / art centre