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Sea Turtle

This painting depicts a sea turtle swimming through water. Air bubbles are ahead of the turtle, showing it parting the water as it streamlines through the water. Small fish surround the turtle, swimming in it slipstream.

Painting has been completed using a handmade grass reed brush called Jarlk. Raark or fine line work is in Yirritja style and consists of multiple lines before alternating colour. Modern acrylic paint has been used.

Name: James Mitjpunun Malibirr


Language: Ganalbiŋu


Community: Gapuwiyak


Biography:

James has been creating art since he was a little boy, he estimates around the age of sixteen. Taught by his father, uncle and adopted father, he learned through sitting, watching and absorbing traditional techniques, knowledge and stories. As James asked about certain stories being painted, his teachers made sure to teach him to only tell the right culture and the right story, as culture is important and it is wrong to tell someone else's story.

Artistic through a variety of mediums including canvas, carving, and yidaki (didj), Jame's recurrent themes are fish and billabong tucker, as well as stone blade paintings which is his mothers story.


© the artist / art centre