Yolngu often reflect traditional ceremonial and artistic activities which continue to be practised across the country carrying the spiritual forces of the ancestral beings from one generation to the next. In each artwork intricate cross-hatched images unify figurative elements to tell of a world of ancestral transformations.
This artwork features dancing spiders.
Name: Evonne Gayuwrri
Language: Dabi
Community: Ramingining
Biography:
Evonne Gayuwrri is an emerging painter who began her artistic journey at Bula’bula Arts in 2017. A dedicated and frequent presence in the studio, Evonne's work primarily explores themes from the wetlands and her totems. Her paintings often feature the Raypiny Dhawu (Freshwater Story), Baru Dhawu (Crocodile Story), and Ngambi (Spearhead), reflecting important cultural stories.
Coming from a family of accomplished female artists, Evonne is part of a legacy that traces back to her grandmother, one of the first recognized female painters in Arnhem Land. Her grandmother's pioneering work has paved the way for the next three generations of artists. Evonne works daily alongside her mother and aunties, and is occasionally joined by her daughter and granddaughter, continuing the family tradition of expressing culture through art.
Karr (spiders) Yolngu often reflect traditional ceremonial and artistic activities which continue to be practised across the country carrying the spiritual forces of the ancestral beings from one generation to the next. In each artwork intricate cross-hatched Read more…
Ganalbingu – Banda (Long Necked Turtle) The long necked turtle is a dreaming totem for the freshwater people, the Ganalbingu, whose country includes the World Heritage listed, Arafura Wetlands in Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory Read more…
Raypiny Dhawu (Fresh Water Story) All Aboriginal people originate from a spiritual source, fixed in a particular place in their land or the sea. These ‘spiritual reservoirs’ are often in the form of special waterholes Read more…