The boy who turned into wind (pirriya) at Walu rockhole This story is about a young boy who had no parents and was neglected. There were two men (the boy’s uncles) and one young boy camping at Walu Rockhole, an important water site in the Gibson Desert, northwest of the Read more…
Barnkabarra (Mud Crabs) This design tells the story of Elizabeth’s homeland – a dreaming place, a good dreaming place with plenty of Barnkabarra (Mud Crabs). Elizabeth’s homeland lies east of Maningrida, at the mouth of Blyth river. This country is known for a large spiritual mud crab, which lives in Read more…
Djomi (Fresh Water Spirit) This design depicts the story of the artist’s ancestral dreaming, the Djómi (Fresh Water Spirit). The Djómi figure is a mermaid-like spirit with fish tail that lives in the freshwater stream that flows out to the sea cliff near Maningrida. Djómi is known to be a Read more…
Kayawa (baby floor mat) A round design depicting a small pandanus floor mat used to nurse a baby. This fabric was created using the linocut printing technique. The lino tile has been carved by the artist in Maningrida, and has been printed by hand using a variety of colours and Read more…
Kunkurra (The Spiralling Wind) ‘Kunkurra’, the spiralling wind is associated with several sites in the Kardbam clan estate. On one level, this painting can be interpreted as a depiction of the kinds of mini-cyclones common during the wet season in Arnhem Land, where the artist lives. In this painting, Kunkurra Read more…
Edie Kemarre Holmes – Arratherrk (Bush Flower) They would use the vine of this plant as rope to help carry coolamon with kids. Make like a bag and carry the kids in this. My grandmother was called Arratherrk and her sister was calle Pwelk, the leaf of the bush banana. At Read more…
Maisie Petyarre Bundey – Anhelengkw (Emu) Dreaming Anhelengkw (emu) dreaming is the breast body painting depicting the story of the mother emu who runs away and leaves the father emu to look after the eggs until they hatch, he then raises the chicks. This story is passed down through Maisie’s family and celebrated Read more…
View Of Country This shows the layered landscape of Alyawarr, Central Australia. Knowing your country is an important part of living in a remote community like Ampilatwatja. Knowing when and where to go hunting and gathering, knowing where there is ‘soakage’ (where you can dig for water), travelling with family Read more…
Kathleen Nanima Rambler – Creek Bed Running When you fly over my country looking down after the rain you can see the river beds running like snakes slithering through the land, everything looks like patches of green with the spinifex and sacred trees, and the beautiful blue of the water Read more…