SJB: “Ngayu kuku balkan” (my story). Black State. Kuku Yalanji (talk of this place) – pronounced Guh-guh Yell-an-gee Ngayu kuku balkan (my story) – pronounced ngay-yuh guh-guh bul-gun Wurarr-wurarr (dragonfly) – pronounced oo-rard-oo-rard Kuku Yalanji people are the Traditional Owners of the celebrated Daintree Region. Where the rainforest meets the reef and has Read more…
Ray A variety of rays are found around our island home, from the shallow waters of the shoreline to the reefs and deeper waters. This ray has been created by stitching reclaimed fishing net, rope and twine. Reclaimed fishing nets (also known as ghost nets) are derelict fishing nets that 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 of prickles, and dried to create strong, resilient fibres. These fibres are then twisted, coiled, Read more…
Dhawurr or Batjbarra (Fish Trap) Dhawurr, or Batjbarra, is a traditional fishing method used by Indigenous people in the Arafura Swamp and surrounding wetlands of Arnhem Land. Yolŋu now prefer the modern fishing methods of reels and bait, however, weavers continue to make Batjbarra for cultural conservation and to be Read more…
Kulyakartu “Kulyakartu, with the sand dunes and the plants, the grass. The season is cold time, after rain, after the rain when it gets green and the different types of grass grow. We are painting about Kulyakartu, I am painting with nana (Nola), the landscape and the colours after the Read more…
Kulyakartu “Kulyakartu, with the sand dunes and the plants, the grass. The season is cold time, after rain, after the rain when it gets green and the different types of grass grow. We are painting about Kulyakartu, I am painting with nana (Nola), the landscape and the colours after the Read more…
Untitled This work portrays an area of Country that can be interpreted in multiple ways. Firstly, the image may be read as an aerial representation of a particular location known to the artist- either land that they or their family travelled, from the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) era to Read more…
Kulyakartu “Kulyakartu, with the sand dunes and the plants, the grass. The season is cold time, after rain, after the rain when it gets green and the different types of grass grow. We are painting about Kulyakartu, I am painting with nana (Nola), the landscape and the colours after the Read more…
Nyurnma “This painting is about Nyurnma, Kulyakartu country, burnt area. In the time of the cold season, time for hunting. Nyurnma we call it, burnt country.” “In my grandfathers country they have spinifex, and they burn it, it was an everyday thing for our old people. They used to clean Read more…
Yilyara “This is Yilyara, near Punmu, with the houses.” – Keyarhn Wongawol Yilyara is one of several frequently visited yinta (permanent springs) located in the Country immediately surrounding Punmu Aboriginal community. Yilyara is located immediately east of Nyayartakujarra (Lake Dora), a vast and culturally significant salt lake in the north east Read more…