This is a Songline story for Gurrulpa Clan Family (Andrews grandmother), which involves yams, butterfly and lizards. In that story, a creator-ancestor travels to an island, clears land with fire, and observes butterflies dancing among yam leaves — a sign that the monsoon rains (and thus ecological renewal) are coming.
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Name: Andrew Wanamilil
Language: Ganalbingu
Community: Ramingining
Biography:
Andrew Wanamilil is an accomplished early career artist who has made an impression for his uniquely detailed style and composition. Andrew primarily paints Raypiny Dhawu (Freshwater Story), often depicting the flora and fauna commonly found in the Arafura Swamp where Ramingining is located.
Learning to paint at the age of 11 years old, Andrew learned his totem, stories and songlines under the guidance of his late father, accomplished artist B. Malibirr.
“It’s good for me, I’m part of the board, it’s good for me passing my story on through my painting to the young generation. I’m teaching my kids to tell the story, same as my father told me the stories.”
Andrew is currently the sitting Chair of the Bula’bula Arts Board and is a strong leader both in art and within the Ramingining Community. A strong message he conveys in his work, is the sacredness of the themes he represents, describing the stories as Yolngu scripture.
Bathi (Pandanus Basket) Yolŋu weavers of Arnhem Land create utilitarian, ceremonial, and decorative pieces using naturally sourced materials. This Bathi (Pandanus Basket) is made from young Pandanus spiralis leaves, harvested with a wooden hook, stripped Read more…
Bathi (Pandanus Basket) Yolŋu weavers of Arnhem Land create utilitarian, ceremonial, and decorative pieces using naturally sourced materials. This Bathi (Pandanus Basket) is made from young Pandanus spiralis leaves, harvested with a wooden hook, stripped 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…