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Published by CompNet Systems on

Fishing In A Canoe

Wood carving has always been part of Aboriginal culture and Djilpin artists continue this tradition. Wood was carved for many purposes – tools for hunting or gathering food, axes and knives for building shelters, spears and clubs for protection of their lives and territory, objects for ceremony and to mark sacred sites.

Hunting implements include the boomerang, woomera and spear. The woomera is a lever which helps to increase the speed and distance the spear travels. Clapsticks are used as percussion instruments by the Songmen to accompany dancing along with the didgeridoo (mago).

As well as the more functional carvings, artists portray animals and birds in wood, and these carvings are often painted. Ceremonial carvings include spirit creatures including mukuy (devil devils) and mimi.

Categories: Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation

Name: Bernadette Rrumburra Foster

Language: Warlpiri, Yolngu, Waramungu

Community: Wugularr (Beswick)

Biography:

Bernadette is a very talented and multifaceted artist. She paints, carves, weaves, makes jewellery, and all while teaching important cultural and bush knowledge to youngsters. 

Bernadette was born in Alice Springs and raised in Ali Curung. She had a mum from Central Australia, and a father from Arnhem Land. Because of this she grew up between Ali Curung, Tenant Creek & Ngukkur, before moving to Yirrkala and now currently residing in Wugularr/Beswick. 

This transition between Central and Northern Australia means she has a diverse mix of cultural knowledge and art skills, straddling both dot painting and raark or fine line painting styles.

Bernadette learned to paint from her mother and her sisters in the traditional Central Australian dot painting style. She helped the old ladies to put holes in beans for jewellery, and then transitioned to help her mother with gum nut jewellery holes. Once older, and with confidence under her belt, she started creating her own seed jewellery art, selling in Yirrkala

Carving was a skill learned from her Dhuway (male brother-in-law). Raark or fine line painting was learned from her ex-partner. This painting style was done using a handmade paint brush crafted from straight hair. This important brush making skill was learned from her sister in law.

Weaving has been self taught, along with critical skills from Julie Ashley a master weaver here at Djilpin Arts.

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