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Published by on February 26, 2026

Baru (Saltwater Crocodile)

“It’s a long story.. this one of that saltwater crocodile we call Bäru”

Bäru, Saltwater Crocodile also known as Marrchila in Burarra language came from the east, Baniyala belonging to the Maḏarrpa clan, travelling all the way across East Arnhem to Marcus’ homeland of Gamurra Gu-yurra, just south of Cape Stewart where he eventually became Warrawarra.

The checked back-ground represents the skin of Bäru, the predominating yellow ochre is Yirridjdja moiety same as Bäru and Warrawarra clan. This design is painted onto young male Warrawarra clan members as they go through the young man initiation ceremony, Djapi

In the centre there is Bäru depicted missing one hand, which she lost getting fire at Gaḏawarr (Malibirr Ganalbiŋu country)

Bäru is owned by many clans, depicted in this painting is a crocodile nest, know as mun-gapula in Burarra language. In the nest are five eggs representing five clans the Baru song line connects

Categories: Maningrida Arts & Culture

Name: Marcus Pascoe

Language: Burarra (Martay)

Community: Maningrida

Biography:

Marcus Pascoe is a multidisciplinary artist specialising in sculpture and painting, including figurative wooden sculpture, bark painting, lorrrkkon (memorial poles) and ngorla (didgeridoo). His artistic practice is a contemporary expression of Warrawarra clan cosmology, the artist’s clan whose country lies between Cape Stewart and the the Blyth River in Central Arnhem Land. Pascoe’s primary subject matter is warraburnburn, a wangarra spirit specific to his country Gamurra Gu-yurra. These spirits are generally known as ‘ghost spirits’ and have the capacity to be both malevolent and benign in their character and behaviour towards humans. Pascoe is also a senior ceremony man and performs the songs and dances, bunggul, for Warrawarra songlines. The body designs worn by performers are often depicted by the artist on the torsos of his warraburnburn carvings.

Whilst Burarra people have shared their land with wangarra spirits for generations, representation in fine art form was pioneered by a group of men of the artist’s father’s generation, namely Jimmy An-gunguna and Alec Wurrmala. Whilst working within defined cultural parameters, Marcus has developed a unique and distinctive style, characterised by distinctive block forms and bold patterning and colour palette. Like his forebears, Pascoe works exclusively with natural materials, engaging his extensive botanical knowledge to harvest softwood, natural fibres and ochres to create his works. Pascoe’s artistic practice is a strong expression of his identity and heritage, and also a platform to give broader audiences insight into the rich and complex cultural knowledge systems of his community. Pascoe is currently interested in integrating audio and moving image components to create more evocative and immersive audience experiences.

© the artist / art centre