This painting depicts the very important tradition where the men go out for days on an expedition looking for the magpie geese nests.
Naku (canoes) were made traditionally from the bark of a particular tree and used for hunting. In this painting, the Yolngu men hunting for gumang (magpie geese) eggs. you can see the “platforms” used to stay off the ground to keep safe from crocodiles, as will as a traditional bark hunt in the centre of the painting.
Name: Charlie Djurritjini
Language: Ganalbingu
Biography:
Charlie's country is an area called the crossing. This is near Mowangi and is a large area of swampland stretching all the way up to the mountains. He is an extraordinary fisherman and most happy when he is out of the township in the bush. When he was younger he used be the town's mechanic for Ramingining.
"My father told me everything before he died. These paintings are for Balanda and Yolngu. These paintings are to show balanda (white people) what my culture is. To show where my country and Dreaming is from, and where my culture comes from. I only paint from (about) one place, Mutyka' - that's my country. These pictures come from my head - I think about my culture."
Taken from an interview in
"The Native Born: Objects and Representations from Ramingining, Arnhem Land"
Baru Dhawu (Crocodile Story) Baru (the crocodile man), was from the Gumatj clan. People usually call him Gurdu Gurdu or Baru which means crocodile. He lived his life at a place called Yirrkala. Living near Read more…
Woven Mat Traditionally, Nganiyal (conical mats) were used as an insect screen when erected, and as a sitting mat when folded. They are used in Ceremony as well as a functional item. Nowadays, artists weave Read more…
Woven Mat Traditionally, Nganiyal (conical mats) were used as an insect screen when erected, and as a sitting mat when folded. They are used in Ceremony as well as a functional item. Nowadays, artists weave Read more…