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Stone Blades

Translated from Wagilak:

“I am Harry Malibirr. I am from Gapuwiyak. I am sitting down and doing this painting. This is my great great son’s story (skin relationship: great grandfather on mothers side). This story we do la’arda (stone blade), flint fire starter, spear, dimbooka (sacred dillybag), water carrier (coolamon), bondock (spear thrower).”

Painting has been completed using a handmade grass reed brush called Jarlk. This can be found in billabongs and wet areas and is shaped to create the fine linework called Raark. Raark is in Yirritja style and consists of multiple lines before alternating colour.

Name: Harry Malibirr


Language: Wägilak, Ganalbiŋu, Ritharrŋu


Community: Wugularr (Beswick)


Biography:

Harry was born at Elcho Island and is an artistic cultural man through mediums of painting, carving and ceremonial dancing of Bungul. Harry learned art through watching and absorbing knowledge from his father and uncle. Both were painters who encouraged Harry to paint small bits of their art, helping gather knowledge, skills and confidence.  
Harry works with both modern acrylics, as well as traditional ochres/stones and is confident with a Jarlk reed brush. He works on canvas and bark, while also carving yidaki or didj, and larrakitj or lorrkon.


© the artist / art centre