Yawkyawk is a word from the Aboriginal Kunwinjku 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.
Name: Temika Namundja
Language: Kuninjku
Biography:
Temika is the youngest artist at Babbarra Women's Centre and the granddaughter of renowned artist, Deborah Kamanj Wurrkidj.
Her keen eye for detail and natural ability to blend complementary colours reflect her artistic family background.
She is printing many of her grandmother’s totems, including Yawkyawk (young woman spirit) and kunmadj (basket).
Temika attended Homelands school at Kakodebuldi Outstation and is keen to learn as much as she can about Bábbarra Designs.
Woodblock Sari by Bábbarra X Tharangini 2025 Woodblock print on handwoven silk, extract print with organic dyes, 100% Silk Co-created by Bábbarra Women’s Centre, Maningrida and Tharangini Studio, India Printed by artisans at Tharangini Studio Read more…
Woodblock Sari by Bábbarra X Tharangini 2025 Woodblock print on handwoven silk, extract print with organic dyes, 100% Silk Co-created by Bábbarra Women’s Centre, Maningrida and Tharangini Studio, India Printed by artisans at Tharangini Studio Read more…
Woodblock Sari by Bábbarra X Tharangini 2025 Woodblock print on handwoven silk, extract print with organic dyes, 100% Silk Printed by artisans at Tharangini Studio Design brief by Bábbarra women’s Centre and Artists Woodblock carving by Read more…