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Dingo and Bats

This painting depicts a dreaming of Mantjorr (bats) and Gukki (dingo) hiding in a nearby cave.

Translated from Kunarbingu:

“They are in my song line. This is my Dads and my dreaming and songline. Dingo he can smell the spirits. We call him gukki. You can’t go into that cave.”

When the dingo howls he takes people. Old people go to sing their song and dingo gives them back.

Painting has been completed using a handmade grass reed brush called Jarlk. Harvested from local billabongs and wet areas this is shaped to create the fine line work called Raark. Raark is in Yirritja style and consists of multiple lines before alternating colour. Modern acrylic paint has been used.

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