March 2023

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Mindirr (Pandanus Bag)

Miṉḏirr (dilly bags) are made from gunga (Pandanus spiralis), baḻgurr (kurrajong) and natural bush dyes. The body of the miṉḏirr is made from gunga, and the handles from baḻgurr. Once the gunga fronds and baḻgurr bark have been collected, they are stripped and prepared then boiled with the dyes.

Miṉḏirr were used traditionally for every day utilitarian purposes, particularly collecting bush foods such as bäḻtji (yam). Traditionally, the baḻgurr handles were worn across the forehead while the body of the miṉḏirr sat at the back, between the shoulder blades making it easily accessible when collecting ŋatha (food).

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Yawkyawk and bush flower

100% Khadi Cotton purchased in Indian markets in 2023

Hand printed using Abigail’s late mother, J. Wurrkidj’s lino tiles. 

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Yawkyawk and Karrabarda

100% Khadi Cotton purchased in Indian markets in 2023

Hand printed using Abigail’s late mother, J. Wurrkidj’s lino tiles. 

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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 made by Wangarr (creative spirits) that were created long ago close to the beginning of time. These creator beings moved across the countryside, shaping the land and implanting in each tract of country, the spiritual life force for the people who were to own it. These creative spirits took many forms and when they gave the land to each group, they also gave songs, dances, ceremony, the associated laws and language.

 

The creation story for Ganalbingu people took place near the middle section of the Glyde River where it becomes the Goyder River. Their land, Ngaliyindi, sits astride the Arafura Swamp in Central Arnhem Land. Many Ganalbingu artists paint totemic species significant to their clan. These can include baru (crocodile), banda (long necked turtle), buliya (catfish), yalman (waterlilies), gumang (magpie geese), dakawa (fresh water yabby), ratjuk (barramundi), warrnyu (flying fox) and more.

 

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Man-ngalinj (bush potato)

Man-ngalinj is a root vegetable often described as ‘bush potato’. It’s duwa, the artist’s moiety. It has a bulbous root and a long thin vine with small flowers that grows across the ground or up the trunks of nearby trees. Large crops can be found near the artist’s outstation, Bolkdjam. Man-ngalinj are harvested after the Wet season in the early Dry

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Warrawarra Clan

This clan consists of Martay Burarra speakers and relates to the country called Gamurra Gu-yurra which lies between Maningrida and Ramingining in central Arnhem Land.
Thoes totemic animals are ‘gorraporda’ or darter, here depicted with it’s eggs in the nest. Further there is a saltwater crocodile ‘marrchila’, slatwater catfish ‘ganyjal’, a mullet ‘gurndarra’ and a barramundi called ‘rajarra’. As all thoes animals indicate it must be a country with salt and fresh water access. Infact there are many waterholes in this area and the scenery can be imagined as little lakes with waterlilies swimming on top with many sea birds feeding and green grass around.

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Clan totems at Gochan jiny-jirra

Banggala has painted a number of clans totems associated with his clan estate at Gochan Jiny-Jirra. The snake being Ji-japuny is the major creator figure for this country. He swam up the river bank at Gochan Jiny-jirra, creating the river flat as he went with his swimming motion. The diver bird ancestor Gorrpurda also arrived at Gochan Jiny-jirra from the south and formed areas of the river bank by diving in and out of the earth in the same way that the real bird does in the water. Gorrpurda is associated with fresh water fish, including Binyjamat ‘glassfish’ and Ganyjal ‘eel tailed catfish’ also shown in this painting.

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Bush Jewellery – Earrings

The women of Maningrida and surrounding homelands use a combination of locally found seeds, bone and shells to make a variety of jewellery including necklaces. earrings and bracelets.  Many of the artists use complex patterns and designs to make their beautiful creations.

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