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Mardayin Design

This work concerns a major patrimoiety ceremony of a secret and sacred nature called ‘Mardayin’. Much of the meaning of the iconography in the painting is not in the domain of public knowledge. As such, it cannot be explained in detail here.

The painting refers to a site, Kakodbebuldi, which is an outstation in the Dangkorlo clan estate in the Mann River region. Kakodbebuldi is a Mardayin ceremony performance site and is located on a large billabong covered in waterlilies. This place is about 50km south of Maningrida in Central North Arnhem Land.

Name: Noah Wurrkidj


Language: Kuninjku


Community: Maningrida


Biography:

Noah started painting after his first son was born in the early 2000s. He is recognised for the remarkable fineness of his rarrk (crosshatching). His delicate touch creates a lightness which is further enhanced by the white base that emanates through the repetitive grids.  In this exhibition he explores the themes of wak (black crow ancestor) and the sacred place dilebang, a duwa site that contains many potent ancestor spirits, including the bones of the deceased ancestors, djulng.  Close to the site are waterholes where the volatile Ngalyod (rainbow serpent) resides, which the artist depicts as white circles.


© the artist / art centre