This painting depicts two goannas embedded in an intricate depiction of gungara, the mini cyclones common during the wet season in Arnhem Land. Gungara also relates specifically to the Bilwoyinj site. At this site, two of the most important Kuninjku creation beings, a father and son, hunted and ate goanna. They left some goanna fat behind, which turned into the rock that still stands at the site today.
Mats can vary greatly. Artists commonly use a mix of naturally dyed and undyed fibre to create a striking variation of coloured bands. Some artists also incorporate different types of looping to produce different patterns and textured finishes. Each type of mat, fibre bag, basket and dilly bag has its own name in the various languages spoken in the Maningrida region.
Mats can vary greatly. Artists commonly use a mix of naturally dyed and undyed fibre to create a striking variation of coloured bands. Some artists also incorporate different types of looping to produce different patterns and textured finishes. Each type of mat, fibre bag, basket and dilly bag has its own name in the various languages spoken in the Maningrida region.
Kubal is the Kuku-Yalanji word for Brolga.
This painting is about the dancing kubal, she likes to dance around the waterways. The dancing brolga has a long tapering beak and long, slender legs. I love the way how the brolga dances around in circles.
Kubal is the Kuku-Yalanji word for Brolga.
This painting is about the dancing kubal, she likes to dance around the waterways. The dancing brolga has a long tapering beak and long, slender legs. I love the way how the brolga dances around in circles.
I’ve painted yindili (kingfisher). There are three types of Kingfisher that live around Wujal Wujal. They live in the rainforest and along the coastal areas. Yindili is a beautiful bird and very quick! Their feathers are like jewels. You see them flying quickly, darting around. Their colours flash by, you need to be quick to see them!
Our football team is named Wujal Wujal Yindili. Yindili is sacred to us Bama.
I am a Ngkugkul woman from Shipton’s Flat, my mother’s Country. My dad was a Kaanju man from the Coen area.
When I was about 14 years old I started painting bulnja (owls). I was still at school. I liked looking at bulnja in the rainforest. I liked their colours and patterns in the feathers. They are really good at camouflage and you need good eyes to see them! You can find the bulnja when they sing out. It’s a funny noise! Bulnja eat little insects, lizards and mice that live in the rainforest. The bulnja have important story but I can’t talk about it.
I painted bulnja because they live in the rainforest. They live up in the trees. It’s the only place you can see them around here. The rainforest, its plants, trees and animals means a lot to me.
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 many different shapes including flat, round and oblong.
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 many different shapes including flat, round and oblong.
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 throughout South East Australia.