22524009246

Published by CompNet Systems on

Status: Stock

Make it Real Bag Charm by Ruby Djikarra Alderton

Rowu (Morning Glory)

This image depicts a costal plant that grows on my mother’s country and my birthplace Yirrkala, North-East Arnhem Land NT. 

This is not a traditional story as such. Although the waters, the currents, the tides, the land itself and the plants all have their place in our songlines. 

Rowu (Morning Glory) is one of my favourite flowers. My mother told me that each little flower represents a child born on Yolngu country. When I had my daughter, one of her nephews said she reminded him of a little pink Balwa (flower) and it’s been her nickname ever since. This artwork is dedicated to all Yolngu children. 

Across Arnhem Land each clan or family group have their own versions and their own specific designs that represents their traditional lands and waters, both fresh and salt waters. Across Arnhem traditionally we used cross hatching or line work (Rarrk). This fine line work is created by using handmade brushes (marwat). Mine is one I’ve made from my son’s hair. Some of my artworks may have the Rarrk element within them, they are not always a particular story but the Rarrk itself is essentially Yolngu. As a Yolngu woman this is who I am.

 

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Make it Real

Make it Real is a project delivered through the Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia (AACHWA). As a not-for-profit Aboriginal organisation, our profit story ensures the artist receives the economic benefits of their shared generational stories and culture. When an artist thrives, their community also benefits.

The profits generated from this product give 90% back to the artist and 10% back to their art centre. 

*The way profits are distributed can vary, and we ask consumers to be mindful of this when buying Authentic Indigenous Art or products.

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Categories: Spinifex Hill Studio

Name: Ruby Djikarra Alderton

Language: Yolngu

Community: Yirrkala

Biography:

I am a Gumatj, Yolngu woman from Yirrkala Community, 800km’s North-East of Darwin, situated on the tip of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Arnhem Land,NT.

I honestly couldn’t tell you when exactly I started my own artistic journey. Some of my earliest memories are being creative with Mum & Dad at home, and what an incredible privilege to have two diversely creative parents.

My mother the late Dr B Marika AO (1954-2021), was a truly fierce, strong, amazing woman. She was so incredibly rich with knowledge, and we miss her deeply every day.  Mum was taught to paint by my grandfather, Mawalan (1) Marika (1908-1967) with ochres, on stringy bark. Not only was my grandfather an artist, but he was also clan leader of the Rirratjingu bapurru (clan). Rirratjngu are the traditional owners of Yirrkala, where the mission appeared in the 1930s. He was also a statesman who helped initiate Australia’s first Aboriginal land rights case in 1963. My grandfather was also the initial plaintiff in the case, Milirrpum and Os. v. Nabalco Pty. Ltd. and the Commonwealth of Australia 1971.

I (the youngest of Mum's 5 children) was born in the township of Nhulunbuy in Gove Hospital in ‘93. When I was little Dad and I moved away to Darwin, where we lived for a few years. After which we moved down south to Newcastle, NSW, to be closer to my paternal grandparents. Regardless of my birthplace both states (NT & NSW) will always be home to me.

As a teenager I returned to Yirrkala to live with Mum. This is when she encouraged me to not only help her in her practice but to really think about my own art practice as well. Mum being one of the first Indigenous printmakers in the country, naturally, this is what led me to be becoming a printmaker and arts worker myself. Most holidays were spent with mum at Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Arts Centre, where I went on to work as a printmaker/arts worker for 3 years.

In 2013 I became a mother myself and after having my second child in 2014 I decided to move back to Newcastle. During my time living in Newcastle, I worked as an independent artist and also with ArtBack NT & Buku with a nationally touring exhibition, Balnhdhurr – A Lasting Impression.

Fast forward to 2021, we lost Mum suddenly and nothing could have possibly prepared me for what felt like being hit by a freight train. I couldn't even contemplate creating anymore, so I just stopped.

I needed something new, somewhere new, a fresh start. By Christmas 2022 my little family and I found ourselves on the other side of the country, right here in Port Hedland, WA. I walked into Spini one afternoon as an artist trying to find my way back to creativity, now 3 years later I am proudly a practicing artist again & the Studio Technical Co-Ordinator.  Spinifex Hill Studio is such a bright & welcoming space and pivotal in helping me with my healing.

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