JB paints stories from his Dhuwa homeland in northeast Arnhem Land. Stories are passed on either paternally or maternally, and JB would have learnt these stories from his ancestors. The cross-hatching style is a traditional painting style of this area and can represent elements such as water, air and wind.
His paintings often feature totemic animals of the fresh waters of north east Arnhem Land.
Name: JB Fisher
Language: Marrangu
Community: Ramingining
Biography:
JB started painting for Bula’Bula Arts in around 1994. He spends his time between Ramingining and Maningrida, painting for both art centres and has also worked as a conservator for both art centres.
JB is committed to painting in natural bush ochres. He specialises in bark paintings and hollow logs which, in the main, depict stories about honey, (colloquially known as sugarbag) and bush tucker.
Dhawurr/batjbarra fish trap Fish traps are placed into the river to face the oncoming fish. The woven tunnel traps the fish and prevents their escape. The traps are tapered so when they are submerged in the water, Read more…
Mapu (egg) hunting This is as ancient story about how Yolngu used to collect food. They would go out into the swamp in their bark canoes and collect all the magpie geese eggs. You Read more…
Raypiny Dhawu (Fresh Water Story) All Aboriginal people originate from a spiritual source, fixed in a particular place in their land or the sea. These ‘spiritual reservoirs’ are often in the form of special waterholes Read more…