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Flying Fox

This painting depicts a flying fox hanging upside down, a common sight around Beswick. During dry season flying foxes come and roost making noise all day and driving people crazy. In the old times people used to hunt and cook the animals, however don’t so much any more. Once the build up comes and “mango madness” hits the flying foxes move on to mango plantations giving a quiet reprieve.

This story has been painted using a handmade Jarlk brush harvested from local billabongs. Raark or fine line work is in Yirritja style and consists of three or four lines before alternating colours.

Name: Harry Malibirr


Language: Wägilak, Ganalbiŋu, Ritharrŋu


Community: Wugularr (Beswick)


Biography:

Harry was born at Elcho Island and is an artistic cultural man through mediums of painting, carving and ceremonial dancing of Bungul. Harry learned art through watching and absorbing knowledge from his father and uncle. Both were painters who encouraged Harry to paint small bits of their art, helping gather knowledge, skills and confidence.  
Harry works with both modern acrylics, as well as traditional ochres/stones and is confident with a Jarlk reed brush. He works on canvas and bark, while also carving yidaki or didj, and larrakitj or lorrkon.


© the artist / art centre