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Ratjuk (Barramundi) by Billy Black

Screenprinted tea towel with Lorrpu (Sulphur-crested Cockatoo) design 

100% linen
70 x 50cm
Available in black and flax colours 

Manymak (very good)! This product helps build a sustainable source of income for Yolŋu artists and art workers at Bula’Bula Arts.

ARTWORK STORY

This is a Dhuwa Story. In my back country in the other side we have lots of Barramundi. This is our mother’s totem. These barramundi are a little bit salt and a little bit fresh water. The Rarrk is depicting the water and the shape of the tail and mouth indicate that they are Barramundi. The Rarrk is the fish and the water.

This beautiful depiction of Ratjuk,-Barramundi in the animated and calligraphic style becoming synonymous with Billy Black’s work is painted on a background of the traditional crosshatching (Rarrk) technique of North east Arnhem land.The Rarrk represents the water, abundant with fish which could be salt water or freshwater. Freshwater Barramundi with yellow/orange eyes has a sweeter flesh than the red eyed ocean dwelling Barramundi with firmer flesh. Barramundi has always been a staple food source for Yolngu and often 40 to 50 fish are caught in a few hours, cooked in silver paper on a fire to feed the hunters. The rest are strung on vine ropes and shared with family. 

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Gumang Mapu (Magpie Goose Egg) by George Milpurrurru

 Screenprinted tea towel with Banami (brolga) design
100% linen
70 x 50cm
Available in black and flax colours 

Manymak (very good)! This product helps build a sustainable source of income for Yolŋu artists and art workers at Bula’Bula Arts.

ARTWORK STORY 

The Yolngu (people) of Arnhem Land 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 made by Wangarr (Creative Beings), long ago close to the beginning of time.

The creator beings moved across the country side, shaping the land and implanting in each tract of country, the spiritual life force for the people who were to own it. These Creative Spirits took many forms. When they gave the land to each group they also gave songs, dances, ceremony, the associated laws and language. The Creation story for Ganalbingu people took place near the middle section of the Glyde River where it becomes the Goyder River. Their land, Ngaliyindi, sits astride the Arafura Swamp in Central Arnhem Land.

In this design, Milpurrurru has depicted men in bark canoes collection Gumang Mapu (magpie goose eggs), which are sacred to the Ganalbingu people. To the east of the Arafura Swamp is a freshwater billabong which is said to have been made by the Goose Spirit and is in the shape of a goose nest. As a result, geese, their eggs and their nests are sacred.

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Lidji Lidji (Crimson Finch) by Andrew Malibirr

Manymak (very good)! This product helps build a sustainable source of income for Yolŋu artists and art workers at Bula’Bula Arts.

• Screenprinted linen tea towel with Gurrumatji (Magpie Geese) design 
• 100% linen
• 70cm x 50cm
• Available in black and flax colours 

 

ARTWORK STORY 

This artwork represents totemic finches. These birds herald the beginning of the dry season and are associated with the Ganalbingu clan. Lidji Lidji are also represented in ceremonial song and dance.

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Poppet purse S

FABRIC ARTWORK

This product was screenprinted by Yolŋu art workers at Bula’Bula Arts. We print small batches of tea towels, tshirts and fabric lengths by hand because we love putting Yolŋu designs on everyday items – especially ones that balanda (non-Yolŋu) use! Due to the lovely handmade nature of this product, print quality may vary.

 Available in four fabric designs and multiple colourways:

• Dawurrmonuk (itchy caterpillar) by Evonne Gayuwrri
• Lidjilidji (Crimson Finch) by Andrew Wanamilil
• Lorrpu (Sulphur-crested Cockatoo) by Peter Gambung
• Ngambi (limestone) spear by Shannon Ashley

Manymak (very good)! Buying Bula’Bula Arts products helps us build a sustainable income source for our 150 artists and artworkers from Ramingining and surrounding outstations.

 

WORKING WITH FLYING FOX FABRICS 

We work with Flying Fox Fabrics, a small social enterprise based in Darwin. Flying Fox Fabrics, make and sell accessories, clothing and homewares from fabrics designed by Aboriginal artists which have been hand printed in Australia. They work in partnership with Aboriginal artists and fair trade organisations in Cambodia that train and employ disabled artisans.

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Ramingining Tshirt

It gets pretty hot up in the top end, so you need to look as cool as possible to counteract those 30 degree+ days. Enter this shirt from Bula’bula which is not only good looking, but also teaches you how to actually spell Ramingining!

100% cotton.

Made in collaboration with MCA, Sydney.

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‘Manymak natha’ (good food)

Perfect the art of cooking in our ‘Manymak natha’ apron – it means ‘good food’! The design is made from three original artworks and features traditional Yolgnu bush foods from both freshwater and saltwater sources.

Cotton drill apron with pocket and adjustable straps.

ARTISTS

• Nyoka (crab), Benjamin Garrawurra
• Wuldulbal/badju (bream), JB Fisher
• Dakawa (yabby), Peter Gambung 

Manymak (very good)!

This product helps build a sustainable source of income for Yolŋu artists and art workers at Bula’Bula Arts.

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Status: Stock

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Lorrpu (Sulphur-crested Cockatoo) by Angela Malibirr

• Screenprinted tea towel with Lorrpu (Sulphur-crested Cockatoo) design 
• 100% linen
• 70 x 50cm
• Available in black and flax colours 

Manymak (very good)! This product helps build a sustainable source of income for Yolŋu artists and art workers at Bula’Bula Arts.

ARTWORK STORY

Lorrpu (Sulphur-crested Cockatoo) are a totemic species significant to the Gupapuyngu clan of the Yirritja moiety. They are represented through storylines and songlines during ceremonial practises. Lorrpu can be found in large flocks across the Arafura Swamp.