Wak Wak This painting depicts a sacred site at ‘Kurrurldul’, an outstation south of Maningrida. The ‘rarrk’, or abstract crosshatching, on this work represents the design for the crow totem ancestor called ‘Djimarr’. Today this being exists in the form Read more…
Wak Wak This painting depicts a sacred site at ‘Kurrurldul’, an outstation south of Maningrida. The ‘rarrk’, or abstract crosshatching, on this work represents the design for the crow totem ancestor called ‘Djimarr’. Today this being exists in the form 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 Read more…
Ngalng (Freshwater yabby);- This narrative is closely associated with Ngalng (yabby) which are depicted in this work in figurative form, placed alongside the circular holes in which they can be found in creeks and waterholes. Namunjdja explains, ‘Kunkurra is for the Read more…
Manberlnginj (Clapsticks) Clapsticks are commonly cut from Iron Bark or Strinybark Trees, which are then sanded down and used for ceremonial practises, or simply as a musical instrument. These can be played by men and women and help to keep Read more…
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, Read more…
Dillybag The creation story in West Arnhem centres on a female ancestor, the mother known as Yingana, who emerged from the Arafura Sea and travelled across the inland regions. Yingana gave birth to the Bininj, the people of this country, Read more…
Ngalyod (Rainbow Serpent) Ngalyod (Rainbow Serpent) is a most important ancestor spirit in western Arnhem Land and appears in various manifestations in Kunwinjku mythology. Ngalyod is daughter to the Mother One, Yingarna. Commonly Ngalyod is depicted with waterlily’s or palms Read more…
Bondok Bondok, which is more commonly known as a woomera is a “spear thrower”, traditionally and still to this day used as a hunting tool, handled as an extension of the arm to enable a longer and more powerful throw Read more…
Lorrkon – Yawk Yawk (Freshwater Mermaid) 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 Read more…