111982309041

Published by CompNet Systems on

Diving duck with fresh water catfish and water plant

Bandjurldjurl has painted dreamings for his mothe’s clan country. The painting represents two sites called Borlinymerre and Warrkmerre. Both belong to the Yirrija clan Bunduri , and are in the Ramingining are in North-central  Arnhem Land.

The painting depicts three Darters (Anhinga Melangoster) called Gorropurda. They are diving into the billabong for fish. They have already eaten some fish which are shown in their bellies: these are archerfish ( Toxotes chatareus ), called Yangkurra. Bandjurldjurl has also painted two kinds of fresh water catfish in the billabong. The largest one in the upper right of the painting is the salmon catfish ( Arius leptaspis), called Gurrkanangarr. The other kind is Garle: an eeltailed catfish (probably Porochilus rendahli). The large plant in the upper left of the painting is called.

Categories: Maningrida Arts & Culture

Name: Marcus Pascoe

Language: Burarra (Martay)

Community: Maningrida

Biography:

Marcus Pascoe is a multidisciplinary artist specialising in sculpture and painting, including figurative wooden sculpture, bark painting, lorrrkkon (memorial poles) and ngorla (didgeridoo). His artistic practice is a contemporary expression of Warrawarra clan cosmology, the artist’s clan whose country lies between Cape Stewart and the the Blyth River in Central Arnhem Land. Pascoe’s primary subject matter is warraburnburn, a wangarra spirit specific to his country Gamurra Gu-yurra. These spirits are generally known as ‘ghost spirits’ and have the capacity to be both malevolent and benign in their character and behaviour towards humans. Pascoe is also a senior ceremony man and performs the songs and dances, bunggul, for Warrawarra songlines. The body designs worn by performers are often depicted by the artist on the torsos of his warraburnburn carvings.

Whilst Burarra people have shared their land with wangarra spirits for generations, representation in fine art form was pioneered by a group of men of the artist’s father’s generation, namely Jimmy An-gunguna and Alec Wurrmala. Whilst working within defined cultural parameters, Marcus has developed a unique and distinctive style, characterised by distinctive block forms and bold patterning and colour palette. Like his forebears, Pascoe works exclusively with natural materials, engaging his extensive botanical knowledge to harvest softwood, natural fibres and ochres to create his works. Pascoe’s artistic practice is a strong expression of his identity and heritage, and also a platform to give broader audiences insight into the rich and complex cultural knowledge systems of his community. Pascoe is currently interested in integrating audio and moving image components to create more evocative and immersive audience experiences.

Related Posts

Maningrida Arts & Culture

111982374622

Kudidjanga Kudidjanga is situated near the Blythe River region of central Arnhem Land, and is the ancestral country of artist Jack Nawilil.    Mayali and Rembarrnga artist Kamarrang Jack Nawilil is a senior member of the Balngarra Read more…

Maningrida Arts & Culture

111982374647

Coil Basket Coil basketry is a well-established fibre art form in the Maningrida region, especially for women from the Kuninjku, Rembarrnga, Ndjebbana and Nakkara language groups.  Artists make coiled baskets of many shapes and sizes, Read more…

Maningrida Arts & Culture

111982374646

Mimih Spirit The mimih spirit exists in a realm that runs parallel to and mirrors many facets of human life, demonstrating the deep sense of time and place understood by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Read more…

© the artist / art centre