115682172528

Published by CompNet Systems on

Ngambi (limestone spearheads)

This painting illustrates elements from the Wagilag Sisters’ Creation story.  Ngambi are the stone spear heads that the sisters collected at Ngilipitji on their way to Mirarrmina.

The Wagilag Sisters’ Story is primarily an account of how in the distant past the two Wagilag Sisters came out of the southern interior and came across the countryside to the Liyagalawumirr waterhole at Mirarrmina. There the younger sister profaned the pool of the great Python by accidently allowing her  blood to fall into the waterhole. Because of this the women and the children were swallowed by the Olive Python, Wititj, along with all the water from the waterhole. The other snakes heard about this and demanded Wititj spit out the sisters. Wititj vomited the women out, along with the water, creating the first monsoon rains.

Categories: Bula'bula Arts

Name: Shannon Ashley

Biography:

Her grandmother was one of the first recognised female painters of the Ramingining community in Central Arnhem Land, around 400 kilometres east of Darwin. Today, the early career talent paints alongside both her mother and her grandmother. 

Shannon also speaks to fond memories of herself as a little girl watching her uncle, the late great artist Djardie Ashley, put pigment down on bark.

“He is my uncle, and he grew me up. Painting and making art reminds me of him. He is always in my heart, forever.”

Shannon’s own art practice certainly reflects these robust artistic roots. Her paintings on canvas are a true feast for the eyes, their intricate details wrought by a confident young hand. Abstracted patterns and crosshatching techniques in a palette of earth and sky are striking to behold, reflecting her Yolngu stories in a dynamic, visually vibrant way.

Shannon is constantly inspired by these deep connections to family, Country and culture. “My family have three different countries; one place we call that area Luthunbarr,” she says.

“It’s a very beautiful Country, it’s Yolngu Country. We have everything there like trees, we go fishing, hunting for seafood like mud crab, long necked turtle and oysters.”

Through her practice, Shannon honours and respects the ancient knowledge and traditions that govern Yolngu culture. Painting stories that her family have given permission to paint and learning about Yolngu culture so if they pass away, Shannon can follow in their footsteps.

Related Posts

Bula'bula Arts

115682334290

Mapu (egg) hunting   This is as ancient story about how Yolngu used to collect food. They would go out into the swamp in their bark canoes and collect all the magpie geese eggs. You Read more…

Bula'bula Arts

115682336653

Raypiny Dhawu (Fresh Water Story) All Aboriginal people originate from a spiritual source, fixed in a particular place in their land or the sea. These ‘spiritual reservoirs’ are often in the form of special waterholes Read more…

Bula'bula Arts

115682337146

Raypiny Dhawu (Fresh Water Story) All Aboriginal people originate from a spiritual source, fixed in a particular place in their land or the sea. These ‘spiritual reservoirs’ are often in the form of special waterholes Read more…

© the artist / art centre