This painting depicts two goannas embedded in an intricate depiction of kunkurra, the mini cyclones common during the wet season in Arnhem Land. Kunkurra also relates specifically to the Bilwoyinj site. At this site, two of the most important Kuninjku creation beings, a father and son, hunted and ate goanna. They left some goanna fat behind, which turned into the rock that still stands at the site today.
Name: Deborah Yulidjirri
Language: Kuninjku
Community: Maningrida
Biography:
Deborah is the daughter of acclaimed Kunwinjku artist Thompson Yulidjirri (1930-2009) and learnt to paint on bar k and carved wooden sculptures under his tutelage.
She was wife to Simone Namunjdja (1965 - 2018) and paints the themes of her husbands country such as Kunkurra (Cold spiralling wind) and Ngalng (Freshwater Yabby). Similar to her husband her uses and application of ochres are incredibly fine in the West Arnhem style, her artworks glow.
Wak Wak This painting depicts a sacred site at ‘Kurrurldul’, an outstation south of Maningrida. The ‘rarrk’, or abstract crosshatching, on this work represents the design for the crow totem ancestor called ‘Djimarr’. Today this Read more…
Wak Wak This painting depicts a sacred site at ‘Kurrurldul’, an outstation south of Maningrida. The ‘rarrk’, or abstract crosshatching, on this work represents the design for the crow totem ancestor called ‘Djimarr’. Today this Read more…
Wak Wak This painting depicts a sacred site at ‘Kurrurldul’, an outstation south of Maningrida. The ‘rarrk’, or abstract crosshatching, on this work represents the design for the crow totem ancestor called ‘Djimarr’. Today this Read more…