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Billabong Fish

This painting depicts multiple species of fish and animals found in billabongs surrounding Beswick. Included are two barramundi, an eel tail catfish, a long neck turtle and a file snake. All are gudwan dagga, or tasty tucker especially when cooked in coals.

Painting has been completed using a handmade grass reed brush called Jarlk. Harvested from wet areas, this brush is used to create the fine line work called Raark. Raark is in Yirritja style and consists of multiple lines before alternating colour. This can be seen on all the animals except the file snake. The file snake has been finished using a stippling effect using modern paintbrushes.

Name: Brett Bush


Language: Myili


Community: Wugularr (Beswick)


Biography:

Brett was born in Katherine and came to Barunga and Beswick when he was young. David Blanasi, didjeridu master player and renowned artist, taught Brett to paint. As well as painting on bark and canvas, Brett also carves and paints buffalo horn, didjeridus and turtle shells. His recurrent themes are the rainbow serpent, mermaids and mimi spirits.


© the artist / art centre