Deborah Wurrkidj is a Kuninjku artist from the Kurulk clan whose country lies around the outstation of Mumeka in central Arnhem Land.
In this design she has depicted man-djarduk (red bush apples) – a sweet, crisp bush food that is a favourite to collect.
Man-djarduk fruits in kurrung and kunumeleng seasons, the build-up and first rains seasons.
Name: Deborah Wurrkidj
Language: Kuninjku
Biography:
Deborah Wurrkidj is a highly regarded, versatile artist who has readily adapted to new art forms while retaining her strong clan traditions. She has been working with Bábbarra Designs since 1991, alongside her mother, Helen Lanyinwanga, and sister Jennifer Wurrkidj. She is a leading textile artist and an integral member of Bábbarra Women’s Centre.
Deborah’s work is vibrant, tactile and intricate, evocative of the local natural environment as well as referencing her deep cultural knowledge. Her extensive body of textile art is illustrative of the artistic innovation that has occurred in Maningrida in recent times and that is apparent in her work in other mediums also.
Deborah is world renowned for her bark painting, lorrkkon (hollow logs), and fibre baskets. She has exhibited widely since 2001, throughout Australia as well as in Europe and the United States. She is represented in most of Australia’s state gallery collections.
MERLEMERLE (BUTTERFLY) and BILLABONG BOLUNG (RAINBOW SERPENT) Wood Block print on handwoven silk, extract print with organic dyes Composition as briefed by Carol Kamanj Liyawanga and Jay Jurrupula Rostron Printed by C. Satish and Tharangini Read more…
MERLEMERLE (BUTTERFLY) and BILLABONG BOLUNG (RAINBOW SERPENT) Wood Block print on handwoven silk, extract print with organic dyes Composition as briefed by Carol Kamanj Liyawanga and Jay Jurrupula Rostron Printed by C. Satish and Tharangini Read more…
Bawáliba and Bush Flower This new design from workshops held in 2022 depicting Bawáliba (stone country mimihs) and dilly bags against a background of loosely placed bush flowers. Lucy has depicted her Bawáliba with werrkno (skin) textures. ‘Bawáliba is Read more…