Mimih Spirit Aboriginal people of western Arnhem Land say that their Mimih rock pictures were painted not by humans but by the Mimih spirits. The drawings, usually in red ochre, show elegant, graceful stick-like human figures in action – fighting, running, dancing, leaping and hunting , preparing meat and using Read more…
Kunkurra (Two Wind Dreaming) The artist has painted kunkurra, the spiralling wind associated with several sites in the Kardbam clan estate. On one level, this painting can be interpreted as a depiction of the mini-cyclones common during the wet season in Arnhem Land, where the artist lives. Kunkurra also relates Read more…
Kinga (Saltwater Crocodile) The artist has depicted kinga, the saltwater or estuarine crocodile. Kinga is a highly respected and feared animal that has significance as a food source and as a totem to many of the Kunwinjku people (the Aboriginal people of Western Arnhem Land). Kinga are estuarine reptiles and Read more…
Namarnkol (Barramundi) “Namarnkol, the Barramundi, is a very important fish for us Bininj (Aboriginal people). Barramundi are found in the ocean, in floodwaters, and in freshwater billabongs, rivers and creeks. In the old days, people used to spear them with djalakirradj (three-pronged fish spears) and walabi (traditional triangular nets). Nowadays, we Read more…
Lorrkon The Lorrkon is a hollow log coffin used by the people of Arnhem Land, Australia. It consists of a tree trunk hollowed out by termites and painted by a clan member of the deceased, with the bones placed inside. The Lorrkon ceremony is the final ceremony in a sequence of Read more…
Lorrkon The Lorrkon is a hollow log coffin used by the people of Arnhem Land, Australia. It consists of a tree trunk hollowed out by termites and painted by a clan member of the deceased, with the bones placed inside. The Lorrkon ceremony is the final ceremony in a sequence of Read more…
SugarBag Harvest This painting depicts a Wagilak man harvesting Gugu, or sugar bag (native bush honey). The man is depicted with a dillybag, bondock or spear thrower, multiple spears and a bush axe. Above the man are some leaves and gum nuts, which when flowering are an indicator that the Read more…
Manjabu (Fish Trap) Manjabu are traditional fish traps, formed in cone like shapes they were commonly used in running water to trap the fish when the current was being pushed back the other way, resulting in trapped fish. These were important and easy to use in order to bring food home for family. Though easy Read more…
