This painting depicts Dhulumburrk (Nymphaea violacea), a fresh waterlily. The flowers and lily pads of fresh waterlilies can be seen far and wide across the Arafura wetlands, providing coverage for many animal species including Banda (long-necked turtle) and Baru (crocodile). The flowers come in many beautiful colours, in particular a vibrant purple.
Name: Joy Borruwa
Language: Djambarrpuyungu
Community: Ramingining
Biography:
Joy Borruwa is an emerging artist who began her journey as a fibre artist before transitioning to painting in 2019. Alongside her seven siblings, Joy learned painting from her mother, Dorothy Djukulul, an esteemed artist and one of the first recognised female painters in Ramingining. While Joy always had an interest in painting, it was the artistic influence of her first husband, Bobby Bununggurr, that encouraged her to pursue and develop her artistic practice.
“I saw my first husband, Bobby, I saw him paint and I thought, how can I paint that? So, with mum, I learn how to paint. I just want to tell the story of my mum’s totem.”
Demonstrating the power of generational teaching, Joy paints the totems of her mother and uncle, George Milpurrurru, instead of her own. Now, she paints daily. Joined by her sisters, Dorothy, Joy, and Evonne, and children Selena, Angela, and Andrew who is the Chair for Bula’bula arts.
Bathi (Pandanus Basket) Bathi are woven from the split leaves of the Screw Palm (Pandanus Spiralis). Coil weaving was introduced to Arnhem Land in the 1930s. It was adapted from techniques used by Indigenous women 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…
