This is an artwork about a dancing Mimih. It’s based on a song line from Korlobididah. My fathers eldest brother used to sing this song line and Unkle Dennis he was a dancer. My real father, Jacky was a dancer as well and he was from Korlobididah.
Name: Jay Jurrupula Rostron
Language: Kune, Kuninjku, Rembarrnga
Community: Maningrida
Biography:
Belinj Jay is a Kune, Dalabon and Rembarrngga woman from the Barappa clan. For Kune people, like many others across Arnhem Land, the world is divided into two moieties: Duwa and Yirridjdja. These moieties are woven into the kinship system guiding a person’s relationships and responsibilities to their family and the environment. Every tree, animal, bird, and body of water can be identified as either Duwa or Yirridjdja and this moiety system extends to stories, songlines and dreaming.
Jay is a talented Maningrida artist who works with detailed linocut fabric, drawing and screen print at Babbarra Designs. Her work is exciting and portrays the ancestral stories of Namurre Boko (two brothers story) and Modjarrkki in her work. She loves to illustrate the plants and animals that live in the freshwater country around her fathers homeland of Korlobidahdah, Arnhem Land.
The Modjarrkki story belongs to the Barappa clan and is from the Duwa Country Dukala-djarranj and Kolorbidahdah located in the stone country of West Arnhem Land. The Songline and story has been passed down to Jay by her father (Dad’s brother) and is a true story, a story that really happened. This story is still practiced through bunggul during cultural celebrations and gatherings.
Jay has worked with a range of mediums including etching, linocut prints, Stringybark (Eucalyptus Tetradonta) with Ochre Pigment and PVA Fixative, Pandanus Coiled Basket, Pandanus Dilly Bag, Pandanus Sculpture, Seed Jewellery.
Marebu Deborah Wurrkidj is a Kuninjku artist from the Kurulk clan whose country lies around the outstation of Mumeka in central Arnhem Land. She is an accomplished artist working across mediums including painting, sculpture, weaving Read more…
Ngalyod Ngalyod (Rainbow serpent) Rainbow spirit coming from billabong. Rainbow serpent dreaming. Coming from billabong, that place we call billabong where that ngalyod (rainbow serpent) lives. All that wayuk (waterlily), all them kundalk (grass) and Read more…
Namurre Boko A two colour screen print design from 2022. Jay’s first large format design to join the Bábbarra Designs Collection. ‘This is my first one, I’m really happy, I’m proud. It’s just a songline Read more…