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Published by CompNet Systems on

Wandjina, Dumbi & Ungud (cloud and rain spirit, barn owl & totem)

The Wandjina is the creator spirit that belongs to the Wororra, Ngarinyin and Wunumbul people. He is the one who created everything, gave us our culture, law and songs and even the dreaming of each child before they are born. The Dumbis belong to the Wandjina and nobody can make fun or kill them, because the Wandjina will send a big rainstorm just like in the flood story. The Ungud snake is the one that made the rivers and holds water. If they are disturbed then they will kill whoever disturbs them.

Categories: MOWANJUM ART AND CULTURE CENTRE

Name: Gabriella Barunga

Language: Ngarinyin

Community: Mowanjum

Biography:

Gabriella commenced her career as an artist in 1999 at Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre. Gabriella ‘likes to paint every day. Painting is my work and my way of telling a story. I paint the Wandjina from the Wanalirri mob.' Gabriella is a Ngarinyin woman. She grew up with her parents Biddy Ambi and Raphael Dolbyin at Bungarun, the leprosarium 10km's out of Derby. She was also cared for by Jack and Biddy Dale, 'they used to take us bush in the holidays. We went fishing and hunting kangaroos, snakes, turtles, and crocodiles.'

Gabriella has visited the caves where the Wandjinas were first painted. 'I thought- these are my ancestors. It’s amazing.' Gabriella’s first heard about traditional law and ancestral stories through her mother and uncles.

Gabriella confides that Gordon her partner 'helped me paint.' To the question why paint? Gabriella replies that she does 'to keep the culture going, keep it strong, keep it going for the children and grandchildren.'

The exploration of etching is a new medium for Gabriella as she has always been a painter.

 

 

 

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© the artist / art centre