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Wagilag Hunting Story

The Wagilag Sisters are central to the four important ceremonies of the Dhuwa moiety; the Djungguwan, the Gunabibi, the Ngulmarrk, and the Mandaialla.

The story is primarily an account of how, in the distant past, the two Wagilag Sisters came out of the southern interior and across the countryside to the Liyagalawumirr waterhole at Mirarrmina.

 

This painting is where the two sisters came along and get all the tools for hunting. They got ritjano and Damilipa (Blue Tongue Lizard). Ritjano is similar to a carrot, and grows abundantly in North East Arnhem Land. The vegetable is a staple food in traditional Yolngu culture, and has been a reliable food source when other foods are scarce. The ladies will collect and roast the ritjano, which has a very sweet flavour. 

 The sisters put all the bush food into their dilly bags.

Categories: Bula'bula Arts

Name: Shannon Ashley

Biography:

Her grandmother was one of the first recognised female painters of the Ramingining community in Central Arnhem Land, around 400 kilometres east of Darwin. Today, the early career talent paints alongside both her mother and her grandmother. 

Shannon also speaks to fond memories of herself as a little girl watching her uncle, the late great artist Djardie Ashley, put pigment down on bark.

“He is my uncle, and he grew me up. Painting and making art reminds me of him. He is always in my heart, forever.”

Shannon’s own art practice certainly reflects these robust artistic roots. Her paintings on canvas are a true feast for the eyes, their intricate details wrought by a confident young hand. Abstracted patterns and crosshatching techniques in a palette of earth and sky are striking to behold, reflecting her Yolngu stories in a dynamic, visually vibrant way.

Shannon is constantly inspired by these deep connections to family, Country and culture. “My family have three different countries; one place we call that area Luthunbarr,” she says.

“It’s a very beautiful Country, it’s Yolngu Country. We have everything there like trees, we go fishing, hunting for seafood like mud crab, long necked turtle and oysters.”

Through her practice, Shannon honours and respects the ancient knowledge and traditions that govern Yolngu culture. Painting stories that her family have given permission to paint and learning about Yolngu culture so if they pass away, Shannon can follow in their footsteps.

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