359709482370119
Malu Thumayawaik
The mask in the artwork represents the profound concerns of my ancestors regarding the exploitation of our marine environment, driven by climate change and pollution. For centuries since creation, Indigenous peoples have possessed a rich tradition of sustainable marine conservation, emphasising responsible harvesting to ensure that resources endure for generations. Coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses are not merely ecosystems but essential components of biodiversity, food security, and cultural identity. Protecting these invaluable ecosystems is not just an environmental obligation but a cultural imperative. We must unite globally to protect our oceans, ensuring their health and abundance for future generations.
Art Centre notes:
This artwork is a unique state, monotype screen print on BFK Rives paper (100% cotton rag paper with strong archival properties.
Paper size; 39 x 28cm
Printed at Canberra, Feb 2025
Print Assistant: BasilHall.
359709482370117
Malu Thumayawaik
The mask in the artwork represents the profound concerns of my ancestors regarding the exploitation of our marine environment, driven by climate change and pollution. For centuries since creation, Indigenous peoples have possessed a rich tradition of sustainable marine conservation, emphasising responsible harvesting to ensure that resources endure for generations. Coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses are not merely ecosystems but essential components of biodiversity, food security, and cultural identity. Protecting these invaluable ecosystems is not just an environmental obligation but a cultural imperative. We must unite globally to protect our oceans, ensuring their health and abundance for future generations.
Art Centre notes:
This artwork is a unique state, monotype screen print on BFK Rives paper (100% cotton rag paper with strong archival properties.
Paper size; 39 x 28cm
Printed at Canberra, Feb 2025
Print Assistant: BasilHall.
225182370115
Yindili (Kingfisher)
The Kingfisher, known as Yindili in Kuku Yalanji language, is according to our culture one of the significant messenger birds. The Kingfisher will let us know when to expect a visit from families living in another community, And when we see a Kingfisher close by, we know that something good will soon happen in our personal life.
359709482370111
Malu Thumayawaik
The mask in the artwork represents the profound concerns of my ancestors regarding the exploitation of our marine environment, driven by climate change and pollution. For centuries since creation, Indigenous peoples have possessed a rich tradition of sustainable marine conservation, emphasising responsible harvesting to ensure that resources endure for generations. Coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses are not merely ecosystems but essential components of biodiversity, food security, and cultural identity. Protecting these invaluable ecosystems is not just an environmental obligation but a cultural imperative. We must unite globally to protect our oceans, ensuring their health and abundance for future generations.
Art Centre notes:
This artwork is a unique state, monotype screen print on BFK Rives paper (100% cotton rag paper with strong archival properties.
Paper size; 39 x 28cm
Printed at Canberra, Feb 2025
Print Assistant: BasilHall.
359709482370104
Malu Thumayawaik
The mask in the artwork represents the profound concerns of my ancestors regarding the exploitation of our marine environment, driven by climate change and pollution. For centuries since creation, Indigenous peoples have possessed a rich tradition of sustainable marine conservation, emphasising responsible harvesting to ensure that resources endure for generations. Coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses are not merely ecosystems but essential components of biodiversity, food security, and cultural identity. Protecting these invaluable ecosystems is not just an environmental obligation but a cultural imperative. We must unite globally to protect our oceans, ensuring their health and abundance for future generations.
Art Centre notes:
This artwork is a unique state, monotype screen print on BFK Rives paper (100% cotton rag paper with strong archival properties.
Paper size; 39 x 28cm
Printed at Canberra, Feb 2025
Print Assistant: BasilHall.
225182370071
Wakuka (Kookaburra)
Wakuka (Kookaburra) is an important totem or spiritual being for our Kuku Yalanji clans. We call him a messenger bird because he lets us know when a family member has passed away.
225182370070
Wakuka (Kookaburra)
Wakuka (Kookaburra) is an important totem or spiritual being for our Kuku Yalanji clans. We call him a messenger bird because he lets us know when a family member has passed away.
225182370069
Kirbaji (Dugong)
Kirbaji (Dugong) is an Ancestral Spirit Being (Totem) that I inherited it from my mother’s side. It is my Totem. The dugong was also an important food source for my ancestors. Only men were allowed to hunt them, and only men had the right to cook and distribute the meat to all the families. My uncles and cousins showed me how to hunt dugongs and they passed down to me the cultural knowledge about them.
My ancestors used to wrap the dugong meat in ginger leaves for flavour, close the wraps with a vine and cook them in the ground oven. Dugongs were only hunted on special occasions such as births, weddings and funerals to provide food for large family gatherings.Dugong fat was also melted to make oil which was used as a medicine for skin and hair ailments or as ointment to treat an upset stomach.
359709482369997
Malu Thumayawaik
The mask in the artwork represents the profound concerns of my ancestors regarding the exploitation of our marine environment, driven by climate change and pollution. For centuries since creation, Indigenous peoples have possessed a rich tradition of sustainable marine conservation, emphasising responsible harvesting to ensure that resources endure for generations. Coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses are not merely ecosystems but essential components of biodiversity, food security, and cultural identity. Protecting these invaluable ecosystems is not just an environmental obligation but a cultural imperative. We must unite globally to protect our oceans, ensuring their health and abundance for future generations.
Art Centre notes:
This artwork is a unique state, monotype screen print on BFK Rives paper (100% cotton rag paper with strong archival properties.
Paper size; 39 x 28cm
Printed at Canberra, Feb 2025
Print Assistant: BasilHall.