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Status: Stock


Bianca Simpson, Kurranji (Cassowary)

The cassowary is one of the major totems (Ancestral Spirit Beings) for our Kuku Yalanji people. He is a big, dangerous bird that rules the rainforest. The cassowary can attack people but at the same time he helps growing many of the plants we used to collect for food, medicine and tool making.

I inherited the Cassowary Totem and all the cultural stories relating to it from my mother’s side. When I was four years old, my mum taught me how to dance the story of the female cassowary, who is protecting the chicks and the eggs from the carpet snake and goanna.

As a young women, I took on the role of my mum and began teaching our cultural dances to the younger generation at the Mossman Gorge community as well as children that live in Mossman town. I still do this today.

Screen printed by hand in Sydney, by master printers on 100% cotton linen. Sold by the metre in 132 cm width.

Care Instructions: Gentle machine or hand wash only in cool water, using mild detergent.

Do Not Soak, Bleach, Rub, Wring, Tumble. Line Dry Only in Shade.

Warm Iron on Reverse. Do Not Dry Clean.

Categories: Purple Emu Art Centre

Name: Bianca Simpson


Language: Manyjilyjarra


Community: Punmu


Biography:

I was born in Parrngurr, Cotton Creek, in the old clinic there. I grew up there and then I moved to Punmu for a long time. I still live there in Punmu, but sometimes I come to all the communities.


My grandmother taught me to paint, Muni Rita Simpson. Then I tried my best to keep on painting. I paint about the Punmu waterholes like Wilarra, Rawa, Tiwa, Juntu - Juntu.


Sometimes I do work here at Martumili, stretch canvas, fill the colours, and sometimes help the oldies.


© the artist / art centre