225182377847

Published by CompNet Systems on

“Wanjaburr” (which way). Black State.

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

Wanjaburr (which way) – pronounced wun-jah-buhd

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.

 

Can you predict wanjaburr the Wurarr-wurarr will go to next?

We can only presume which way it will go.  Our lives are similar. We don’t really know where we are going, although we try hard to be in control of our lives and challenge ourselves to know where or what we are emerging into, but we need to let go and go with the flow.  The beautiful thing about life is the actual journey itself and not to know where our journey will come to light. 

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.

 

Related Posts

Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Aboriginal Corporation

225182377862

Janbal (Quandong) Janbal (Quandong) is good bush tucker. We gather the fruit from August to January when they are sweet and soft. The kernel of the fruit is very pretty and we often use it to make body Read more…

Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Aboriginal Corporation

225182377838

“Ngayu kuku balkan” (my story). Burnt Orange 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 Read more…

Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Aboriginal Corporation

225182377833

Mukirr Dance 3 (Women’s Business) Mukirr dance is about when I would go with my mum, aunties and other family to the Daintree River to harvest freshwater mussels. Using our feet on the river bed, Read more…

© the artist / art centre