Shield
Shields were used as modesty shields for women, normally worn around the shoulders or around the waist.
115682256005
Ganalbingu – Banda (Long Necked Turtle)
The long necked turtle is a dreaming totem for the freshwater people, the Ganalbingu, whose country includes the World Heritage listed, Arafura Wetlands in Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
The Yolngu (people) of Arnhem Land 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 Wangga (Creator Beings), long ago close to the beginning of time. These creator beings moved across the country side, shaping the land and implanting in each tract of country, the spiritual life force for the people who were to own it.
These creator spirits took many forms. 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. Some of their major Creative Beings include Banda (freshwater long neck turtle) and Yalman (water lilies).
359709482256014
Art Centre notes: The basket is made of natural raffia and sea chord. The dyes are commercial and colour fast.
222082256487
Rings
I want this artwork to stand as a silent sentinel to the passage of time and the profundity of human experiences. My painting, titled “Rings”, deceptively simple at first glance—a series of circular lines, a cut scene of something infinite. Resembling the cross-section of a cut tree. Venturing closer, it is a journey through the concentric rings of life, time, and the depths of human emotion. I used multiple mediums to convey the complexities of existence. The very inner rings of the circle, light and unmarred, uniform and uninterrupted, depicted the innocence of youth. A nod to the days when life was but a budding promise, unburdened by the weight of experience. Moving outward, the rings grow thicker and disorganised, each one etched with the scars of trials and tribulations. These lines speak of the struggles that have shaped me, the moments of joy, and the inevitable sorrows. Each ring to capturing the essence of life’s unpredictable journey—births, losses, movement and growth. Some lines where I have used blue pigment mixed with charcoal are jagged, turbulent, and darker. Representing the deepest grief and pain. Despite the heavy emotion embedded into the linen, I found solace in the reminder that, like the rings of a tree, life’s experiences shape and define us, making us stronger and more resilient with each passing year. I was also inspired by Kintsugi, an ancient Japanese art of mending broken objects and ceramics with gold. Hence the use of gold throughout my piece. The concept of Kintsugi is that when you care for damage in a tender and impactful way, it can be used as an opportunity to grow and evolve. Damage doesn’t mean something is inherently broken. We live in a culture that tends to hide flaws, vulnerabilities and ugly history rather than acknowledging wounds and imperfections as beauty and pivotal points of learning and beauty.
115682256541
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 many different shapes including flat, round and oblong.
115682256501
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 many different shapes including flat, round and oblong.
115682256492
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.
115682256491
Wagilag ga Wititj Dhawu (Wagilag Sisters and Olive Python Story)
The Wagilag Sisters are central to the four important ceremonies of the Dhuwa moiety; the Djungguwan, the Gunabibi, the Ngulmarrk, and the Mandaialla.
The story is primarily an account of how, in the distant past, the two Wagilag Sisters came out of the southern interior and across the countryside to the Liyagalawumirr waterhole at Mirarrmina. There the younger sister profaned the pool of Wititj (the great Olive Python) by accidently allowing her blood to fall into the waterhole. Because of this, the women (and their children) were swallowed by Wititj.
All of the other sacred snakes stood up with their heads in the clouds and talked to each other with voices like thunder. The Pythons discovered that they had different languages and ‘skins’. Wititj confessed to eating the two women; his own moiety and fell to earth making a big depression in the ground. The big wind blew across the land making the first dry season. Wititj was ordered by the snakes to vomit the women and children back up. When he did this he also vomited up all the water from the waterhole, creating the monsoonal rains.
115682256312
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.
115682256311
Ganalbingu – Banda (Long Necked Turtle)
The long necked turtle is a dreaming totem for the freshwater people, the Ganalbingu, whose country includes the World Heritage listed, Arafura Wetlands in Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
The Yolngu (people) of Arnhem Land 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 Wangga (Creator Beings), long ago close to the beginning of time. These creator beings moved across the country side, shaping the land and implanting in each tract of country, the spiritual life force for the people who were to own it.
These creator spirits took many forms. 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. Some of their major Creative Beings include Banda (freshwater long neck turtle) and Yalman (water lilies).