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Djerrh (String Bag)

Djerrh is the Bininj Kunwok language word for string bag. These can vary greatly, with artists commonly using a mix of naturally dyed and un-dyed fibre to create a striking variation of coloured bands. Some artists also incorporate different types of looping to produce different patterns and textured finishes. The bag is woven by hand, with the beginnings of the bag stretched around the woman’s knees as she sits with her legs stretched out in front of her, to hold it firm as she weaves the bag into being. Djerrh can also be used to mean “womb”. 

Each type of fibre bag, mat, basket and dilly bag has its own name in the various languages spoken in the Maningrida region.

Categories: Maningrida Arts & Culture

Name: Paul Nabulumo Namarinjmak

Language: Kuninjku

Community: Maningrida

Biography:

Kuninjku artist Paul Nabulumo is a painter and sculptor. He is the son of acclaimed artist, Mick Kubarkku (1925 - 2008), who was known for his painting of dirdbim (moon, sun and stars) and the associated site on his Kulmarru clan estate. Nabulumo learned under his guidance, watching him paint on rock surfaces and bark paintings as a young man. The artist continues to paint the iconic imagery handed down from his father, including Ngalyod (Rainbow Serpent), mimih (rock country spirit), yawkyawk (female water spirits), Kubumi (waterholes) and djulng (Ancestral bones).  Nabulumo maintains strong connection to his heritage, living and working at Yikkarrakkal Outstation which sits adjacent to the dirdbim and kubumi djang (Ancestral) sites* . However, he has developed his own distinct aesthetic, characterised by striking combinations of fine and elegant rarrk, figurative elements and bold negative space. 

Nabulumo began exhibiting in 2000, participating in his first group show at Aboriginal Art & Pacific (Sydney).  His work was included in the historic exhibition <<rark>> at the Bargehouse in London in 2007. His work was also selected for the 23rd and 28th Telstra National & Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibitions. Nabulumo  has shown both locally and  internationally at highly regarded  commercial spaces such as Josh Lilley Fine Art (UK),  Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi (Melbourne), Annandale Galleries (Sydney), Paul Johnstone Gallery (Darwin), Outstation Gallery (Darwin), Art Kelch (Freiburg) and most recently Michael Reid (Sydney). The artist’s work can be found in various collection including that of the National Gallery of Australia and the Museum of Victoria.

 

* “Dirdbim literally means 'image of the moon'. The site is a large unusually round hole in a sandstone residual on the plain not far from the Mann River. The large hole is said to be the full moon created by ngalyod who pierced the rock in times of the 'Dreaming' and left the shape of the full moon. 

Kubumi is a sacred site on the Mann River consisting of a series of deep waterholes connected by underground tunnels. Ngalyod pierced the rock to create these waterholes and now lives in the rocky riverbed.

 

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