377810582276065

Published by on

Manbirrbbirr (small bush flowers)

In Kuninjku the name manbirrbbirr is used for a number of densely flowering shrubs and small trees including Verticordia cunninghamii, yellow flowering Austromyrtus species and also Acacia platycarpa which also has dense white. 

This design is a patchwork of small Lino tiles representing various flowers in Arnhem Land. Abigail has incorporated the designs of her late mother. The cloth was hand dyed by Abigail’s aunt Deborah Wurrkidj. 

The striking yellow – orange  hue comes from the root of the man-kurdudjumuk plant (coelospermum reticulatum) which has been harvested from the sandy country near the flood plains. This laborious and tiring process requires digging up the entire shrub. The root is shaven into a pot of water and the colour is released into water through the boiling process. Ashes have been added to soften the yellow into more of a peach orange tone. 

Categories: Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

Name: Abigail Gurawiliwili Namundja

Language: Ndjébbana, Kune, Kuninjku

Community: Maningrida

Biography:

Abigail has beenan artist with Bábbarra Designs since 2012 and became a member of the Arts Worker team in 2023. She comes from a strong line of talented artists, her mother is the late J. Wurrkidj and her grandmother was the late Helen Lanyinwanga. Three generations of women from Abigail’s family worked together at Bábbarra Women’s Centre, sharing knowledge and creating new designs together. Abigail often prints Lino from her family collection, carrying on the memory of the women who came before her. 

Abigail's totems are Gungura (Spiral wind),  Kunwardde (Stone country rocks), Yawkyawk ( young woman spirit) and Ngalyod (rainbow serpent) and she often celebrates wildflowers in her work. 

Related Posts

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

377810582322206

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…

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

377810582317318

Ngaldjorlhbo (Mother of Everything) Ngaldjorlhbo is a powerful woman who created the spiritual and tangible world for the Aboriginal people in Western Arnhem Land. In creating the land and environment, she endowed Kuninjku people with the Read more…

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

377810582317316

Welebme (flat) This is a Kune word that refers to the flattening out of items stones, flat leaves and kunbad (money).  This design shows different items that have flattened out. Carol designed this for her grandkids to Read more…

© the artist / art centre