Art Centre notes: Image size: 40 x 60 cm, Paper size: 60cm x 80 cm The artwork is a ‘pochoir’ print, or monoprint, printed on BFK Rives paper (100% cotton rag with strong archival properties).
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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 him were other people, and when Baru didn’t have enough to eat he began to kill and eat these other people. After a while others noticed that some people were missing. When Baru went to the toilet, the people could smell this strong smell, so they knew that he ate the other people. Some men went to get help and they took message sticks to the other tribes. Some were sending smoke signals. When they came to Baru’s camp they started to spear him in the left side of his ribs. He dropped into the fire and burnt his left hand and maybe his right hand. He then ran into the bush and yelled to his countrymen – the animals, birds and fish that live on the land and in the sea. He stopped and he named the tribes and clans and also the places until he came to a place called Gamarru/Guyurru. There he took a rest and said to himself “This is where I stop and call this place Gamarru/Guyurru”. Baru, still in pain from the fire, then jumped into the water and turned himself into a crocodile. The fire left scars on his back. Baru paintings belong to Gumatj and Warrawarra and also the Marpi clan. This painting is used at death ceremonies or initiations and it normally is painted on the belly, which means the person the design is painted on is part of Gurdu Gurdu (the crocodile people).
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KAMBI – Fashion Collection, Lila Creek – Baral Print
I am a Nyungkul woman from Shipton’s Flat, my mother’s Country. My dad was a Kaanju man from the Coen area.
This fabric print represents Bara which means tracks and what animals are travelling around. Some of the tracks we see are from kurriyala, snake, walkarr, lizard and kadar, wallaby.
Bana Yirriji are currently collaborating with Fashion Designer, Shannon Brett -To create a collection of garments – as wearable art pieces – that promote the work of the artists of Bana Yirriji Art Centre, and the beautiful community of Wujal Wujal.
Shannon Brett is a Wakka Wakka, Gooreng Gooreng, Butchulla artist,
designer and educator, with many years of experience as a fashion designer and textile artist who has worked with numerous studios and art centres internationally.
Shannon has also worked with Bana Yirriji Art Centre for many years as an arts facilitator, and this year we are delighted to collaborate on our first fashion collection KAMBI.
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Kiju – Crab
Kiju (mud crab) is very good eating. I have been hunting kiju with my family all my life. We make a fire on the beach and wait for it to die down and then cook the kiju on the coals. In my culture, we leave the shell where we catch the kiju so next time there will be plenty more to hunt and eat. This was what my elders taught me, and I am showing the young ones how to look after their Country and to do things the right way.
The best time to go hunting for mud crab is when the mangkurru (mangroves) are flowering. That’s when we know the kitju is nice and fat.
Us Bama (people), use plants to tell us when to hunt or collect certain foods. It’s our culture and lore.
225682240321
Kiju – Crab
Kiju (mud crab) is very good eating. I have been hunting kiju with my family all my life. We make a fire on the beach and wait for it to die down and then cook the kiju on the coals. In my culture, we leave the shell where we catch the kiju so next time there will be plenty more to hunt and eat. This was what my elders taught me, and I am showing the young ones how to look after their Country and to do things the right way.
The best time to go hunting for mud crab is when the mangkurru (mangroves) are flowering. That’s when we know the kitju is nice and fat.
Us Bama (people), use plants to tell us when to hunt or collect certain foods. It’s our culture and lore.
359709482240304
Art Centre notes: The bag is made of natural raffia / cotton / jute. It is made using a traditional ‘one twist’ method. The dyes are commercial and colour fast.
359709482240302
Art Centre notes: The bag is made of natural raffia / cotton / jute. It is made using a traditional ‘one twist’ method. The dyes are commercial and colour fast.
359709482240298
Art Centre notes: The bag is made of natural raffia / cotton / jute. It is made using a traditional ‘one twist’ method. The dyes are commercial and colour fast.
359709482240295
Art Centre notes: The bag is made of natural raffia / cotton / jute. It is made using a traditional ‘one twist’ method. The dyes are commercial and colour fast.
359709482240287
Art Centre notes: The bag is made of natural raffia / cotton / jute. It is made using a traditional ‘one twist’ method. The dyes are commercial and colour fast.