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: Shannon Ashley
Language: Wagilak
Community: Ramingining
Biography:
Djarrak's mari (great grandmother) was one of the first recognised female painters of the Ramingining community. Today, Ashley paints alongside both her mother and her grandmother.
Shannon also speaks of fond memories of herself as a little girl watching her uncle, the late great artist Djardie Ashley, put pigment down on bark.
“He is my uncle, and he grew me up. Painting and making art reminds me of him. He is always in my heart, forever.”
Shannon’s own art practice reflects these robust artistic roots. Her paintings on canvas are a true feast for the eyes, their intricate details wrought by a confident young hand. Abstracted patterns and crosshatching techniques in a palette of earth and sky are striking to behold, reflecting her Yolngu stories in a dynamic, visually vibrant way.
Shannon is constantly inspired by these deep connections to family, Country and culture. “My family have three different countries; one place we call that area Luthunbarr,” she says.
“It’s a very beautiful Country, it’s Yolngu Country. We have everything there like trees, we go fishing, hunting for seafood like mud crab, long necked turtle and oysters.”
Through her practice, Shannon honours and respects the ancient knowledge and traditions that govern Yolngu culture. Painting stories that her family have given permission to paint and learning about Yolngu culture so if they pass away, Shannon can follow in their footsteps.
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