377810582220994

Published by on

Yawkyawk in Stone Country

Yawkyawk is a word from the Aboriginal Kunwinjku/Kunwok language, meaning ‘young woman’ and ‘young woman spirit being’.

Sometimes compared to the European notion of mermaids, yawkyawks are usually depicted with the tails of fish. They have long hair, associated with trailing blooms of algae, typically found in Arnhem Land streams and rock pools. There can be wet season yawkyawk and dry season yawkyawk. It is said that when men go out hunting, they sometimes hear the song of the yawkyawk and become confused, loosing their way back to country.

 

Categories: Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

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.

Related Posts

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

377810582339803

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…

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

377810582339802

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…

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

377810582339682

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…

© the artist / art centre