Men’s initiation among the sandhills and rivers. The diamonds are warriors going through lore and becoming men through the four stages of lore, where they go through different parts of country, being taught knowledge and power that is held in the dilly bag and spirit. The zigzag pattern is the river where they would walk along towards men’s sites for scarring and coorobore after tooth extraction. They become Djibauga ‘full initiated men’.
Name: Dylan Charles
Language: Yorta Yorta
Biography:
I grew up in Shepparton and spent many years with family at Cummeragunja (Barmah). I learnt how to get Bardi Grubs with my Grand Dad but he passed away when I was four years old. I learned the majority of my culture from my Uncle (Mum’s Brother) and he is still teaching me now. I spent a told of time at the Charles/Walker bend of Dungala (Murry River) second on the left hand side! When I was younger going to the ochre mines was a really spiritual experience for me and also going to the sandhills where our law and initiation took place over time.
I like to interpret from the stars because our Nan told us that the stars are our map and so I like to reference the night sky in my work….. like the Emu in the sky. I like to imagine that I am looking from above – a birds eye view! I also like to mirror that view – the land and sky in the one view in my work, which represents the connection between the sky and the earth. I look to use ochre in my paintings because it feels more connected to my traditions. It has a spiritual feel for me. My Uncle Shane has always told me I am from the Dulunyagan bloodline to Ulupna. Our language group in Yorta Yorta and this language is classed as endangered due to colonisation and language and culture being forbidden. |
(Dhungala) Murray River / Dreaming Biami Sent down an old lady with a digging stick who went searching for yams, Biami waited patiently for her and after some time there was no return. So Biami Read more…
Sitting with my Uncle This painting is about me and my uncle sitting around talking and him passing down knowledge about painting and different techniques he used. This painting is important to me because my Read more…