111982239865

Published by CompNet Systems on

Warrawarra Clan

This clan consists of Martay Burarra speakers and relates to the country called Gamurra Gu-yurra which lies between Maningrida and Ramingining in central Arnhem Land.
Thoes totemic animals are ‘gorraporda’ or darter, here depicted with it’s eggs in the nest. Further there is a saltwater crocodile ‘marrchila’, slatwater catfish ‘ganyjal’, a mullet ‘gurndarra’ and a barramundi called ‘rajarra’. As all thoes animals indicate it must be a country with salt and fresh water access. Infact there are many waterholes in this area and the scenery can be imagined as little lakes with waterlilies swimming on top with many sea birds feeding and green grass around.

Categories: Maningrida Arts & Culture

Name: Jeremiah Bonson

Language: Djinang (Murrungun)

Community: Elcho Island

Biography:

Jeremiah Bonson is a Djinaŋ/Marung artist. He was born in Darwin but raised at the outstation Gamurra-Gu-yurra, his mother Matilda country. Jeremiah and his wife lived in Galiwinku but now moved to  Maningrida with his family. Jeremiah is a dancer, musician (he plays the yidaki or didgeridoo), painter and sculptor. Although an emerging artist, he was taught his traditional culture and traditional song line (bourgur) by his adoptive father Jimmy. His practice is informed by a culture thousands of years old.

Warrah Bun Bun 2010 is a stunning group of eight mimi spirits or Mokuy who belong to his mother’s dreaming; they are her totem and come from her country of Gamurra-Gu-yurra. These spirits sleep during the day and can only be seen at night when they come out to hunt, dance, sing, laugh and play. They are tall and skinny and jubilantly gather water and hunt for food (natha) at local billabongs—their favourite food is the yam. But, although they are happy, joyful spirits, they will take you away if you get too close. When they dance, they are covered with white clay, which Bonson represents in his sculptures by the white dots. He skillfully captures the playful spirit of these mimi, making them distinctly his own with their armless, slender bodies and friendly faces.

Warrah Bun Bun wonderfully complements the Gallery’s collection of works by artists from Galiwin’ku and is the first work of art by Bonson to be acquired by the National Gallery of Australia.

Tina Baum
Curator, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art
in artonview, issue 63, spring 2010

 

Related Posts

Maningrida Arts & Culture

111982372426

Wak Wak This painting depicts a sacred site at ‘Kurrurldul’, an outstation south of Maningrida. The ‘rarrk’, or abstract crosshatching, on this work represents the design for the crow totem ancestor called ‘Djimarr’. Today this Read more…

Maningrida Arts & Culture

111982372425

Wak Wak This painting depicts a sacred site at ‘Kurrurldul’, an outstation south of Maningrida. The ‘rarrk’, or abstract crosshatching, on this work represents the design for the crow totem ancestor called ‘Djimarr’. Today this Read more…

Maningrida Arts & Culture

111982372424

Wak Wak This painting depicts a sacred site at ‘Kurrurldul’, an outstation south of Maningrida. The ‘rarrk’, or abstract crosshatching, on this work represents the design for the crow totem ancestor called ‘Djimarr’. Today this Read more…

© the artist / art centre