Name: Joy Garlbin
Language: Ndjébbana
Community: Maningrida
Biography:
Joy is an integral member of the Bábbarra Women’s Centre and traditional owner of Maningrida.
She has been around since the early years of Bábbarra Women’s Centre. Joy is a textile artist and also a highly regarded bark painter, creator of mimi spirits, as well as weaver of pandanus fibre.
Joy depicts the story of her ancestral dreaming the Djomi in her textile work, with permission from her djunguys.
Joy is a Kunibidji woman. She speaks Kunibidji and Ndjébbana. These languages are one language but with hard and soft tonal differences. Ndjébbana is one of the least commonly spoken languages in Arnhem Land and is the language of the traditional owners of Maningrida.
Barnkabarra (Mud Crabs) This design tells the story of Elizabeth’s homeland – a dreaming place, a good dreaming place with plenty of Barnkabarra (Mud Crabs). Elizabeth’s homeland lies east of Maningrida, at the mouth of Read more…
Kunmadj – Deborah Wurrkidj Deborah has depicted kunmadj (dillybag), which is a large woven collecting basket. These large bags are often made from the burney vine (Trophis scandens), a strong, pliable plant that grows along the ground and Read more…
Djomi (Fresh Water Spirit) This design depicts the story of the artist’s ancestral dreaming, the Djómi (Fresh Water Spirit). The Djómi figure is a mermaid-like spirit with fish tail that lives in the freshwater stream Read more…