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SJB: “Ngayu kuku balkan” (my story). Black State.

Kuku Yalanji (talk of this place) – pronounced Guh-guh Yell-an-gee

Ngayu kuku balkan (my story) – pronounced ngay-yuh guh-guh bul-gun

Wurarr-wurarr (dragonfly) – pronounced oo-rard-oo-rard

 

Kuku Yalanji people are the Traditional Owners of the celebrated Daintree Region.

Where the rainforest meets the reef and has one of the oldest living Cultures in the creation.

Traditional Lands extends from south of Port Douglas, northbound to the south of Cooktown area and west to the Great Dividing Range.

My artwork depicts that this is a portion of ngayu kuku balkan and that each wurarr-wurarr in this artwork represents my transformation.  

For many years a lot of my artwork was created interpreting the dragonfly.  Through my pieces you see how I have changed as a person over time and how the dragonfly has transformed with me; however in this piece I am the dragonfly.   My affiliation with the dragonfly never faded and I am relaxed with the feeling of a peaceful connection when creating it.  

Sheryl J Burchill ©

Printed on Arches BFK Rives 300gsm paper is made in France at the Arches paper mill. The paper is mould-made and crafted from 100% cotton fibers. 

Categories: Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Aboriginal Corporation

Name: Sheryl J Burchill

Language: Kuku Yalanji, Kuku Nyungkul

Community: Mossman

Biography:

My name is Sheryl Burchill I come from an artistic family which includes one brother and two sisters. We were raised by a strong mother who, herself, received ongoing support and guidance from our grandparents.

The stories from my mother and grandparents, the landscape and the environment are inspiration for my artwork, connecting with my culture and the sense of knowing where I come from, keeps me grounded as a person. It also gives me strength and courage to take on the challenges in life. The stories that I paint are what I remember being taught at a very young age. Out of love and respect for my grandparents, I paint to keep their spirits alive.

I have completed Certificates 3 & 4 in ATSI Cultural Arts and a Diploma in ATSI Cultural Visual Arts through Tropical North Queensland TAFE and for nearly three years was employed by BBN Inc. as Art coordinator at Yalanji Arts in Mossman Gorge. During that time, I took part in many workshops learning new skills in printmaking, ceramics, wood carving and textiles printing and jewellery.

I always aim to use my understanding of Yalanji Culture, tradition stories and lifestyle, to inform my art work and to express my ideas in a contemporary style. Being able to share all I have learnt about my culture through my art, is a blessing. I hope you get much satisfaction out of owing one of my pieces, as I had creating it.

 

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© the artist / art centre