Buliya (catfish) are a favourite fish for Yolngu, They are often depicted amongst the waterlillies, leeches and natural debris such as leaves and reeds.
Name: Evonne Rraraypum
Language: Djambarrpuyungu
Biography:
Evonne Rraraypum is a strong early career artist who, even though she only started painting professionally in 2021, has already featured in several group exhibitions since 2022. A testament to her natural artistic ability and the countless hours spent honing her skill. Evonne was raised in a family of artists. Her mother, Dorothy Djukulul, was one of the first recognised female painters in Ramingining and taught Evonne and her four sisters how to paint their totem and song lines.
“I like to paint the freshwater story and my mother’s totem.”
While Evonne’s totem is the Jabiru, she prefers to paint her mother totems which largely include the animals of the freshwater story. Ganalbingu Banda (long neck turtle), Lidji Lidji (finch), Buliya (catfish), and Baru (crocodile).
“My mum taught me how to paint at home. I like to paint myself, with my family here at Bula’bula. I teach the young ones how to paint, my grandson. His totem is the white cockatoo and emu. I like to tell my story on canvas and through dancing.”
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…
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…