This print is based on snake scale tree snake hiding in a small area sometimes leave dried snake scale behind.
Art Centre notes: The artwork is a unique state print, or monotype, printed on BFK Rives paper (100% cotton rag with strong archival properties).
Artist: Paula Savage
Printer: Dian Darmansjah
Printed at Moa Arts 2021
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 fire. The Mimih live in the nooks and crannies of the rocky landscape, coming out at night. They are said to be so thin and frail that they can emerge from their hiding places only when there is no wind, otherwise they would be blown away. The Mimih not only created these lively self-portraits, but also are the Dreaming ancestors who taught people to paint, hunt, dance and compose songs. They are like humans but they live in a different dimension. They were depicted during the freshwater period. The Mimih are dangerous if approached the wrong way, may kick, knee, slap, smash with a racket like object or sit on someone; which causes sometimes fatal injuries.
Goose barnacle also seen floating on the anything that’s in the ocean. Mostly seen on floating ropes, ghost nets, boats an jetty
This is a MeleMele, or butterfly. Constructed from paperbark wrapped using bush string. Details such as wings are constructed from Kurrajong wood. Natural white ochre paint has been used. Black and yellow acrylic paint also used.
Djilpin Arts is a not for profit Aboriginal Corporation that promotes the maintenance, development and transmission of traditional cultural knowledge systems.
Djilpin Arts specialises in art, live cultural performance, digital media, and produced the popular performance event – the Walking With Spirits Festival as well as Concerts on Country.
Djilpin Arts operates the Ghunmarn Culture Centre – home of the Blanasi Collection and offers fine arts & crafts for sale. Djilpin Arts operates an outlet in Katherine – Shed 5, where all works are sourced from Ghunmarn Culture Centre. Ghunmarn Culture Centre is in the Wugularr (Beswick) community of South East Arnhem Land.
All artworks are made by local artists living in the community. Artwork reflects the traditional songs and stories that have been passed down through the generations with a contemporary edge. Fibre art is a special feature of Djilpin Arts as is its Gapu Series of fine art prints.
Djilpin Arts is a not for profit Aboriginal Corporation that promotes the maintenance, development and transmission of traditional cultural knowledge systems.
Djilpin Arts specialises in art, live cultural performance, digital media, and produced the popular performance event – the Walking With Spirits Festival as well as Concerts on Country.
Djilpin Arts operates the Ghunmarn Culture Centre – home of the Blanasi Collection and offers fine arts & crafts for sale. Djilpin Arts operates an outlet in Katherine – Shed 5, where all works are sourced from Ghunmarn Culture Centre. Ghunmarn Culture Centre is in the Wugularr (Beswick) community of South East Arnhem Land.
All artworks are made by local artists living in the community. Artwork reflects the traditional songs and stories that have been passed down through the generations with a contemporary edge. Fibre art is a special feature of Djilpin Arts as is its Gapu Series of fine art prints.
Wood carving has always been part of Aboriginal culture and Djilpin artists continue this tradition. Men carved wood for many purposes – tools for hunting or gathering food, axes and knives for building shelters, spears and clubs for protection of their lives and territory, objects for ceremony and to mark sacred sites.
Hunting implements include the boomerang, woomera and spear. The woomera is a lever which helps to increase the speed and distance the spear travels. Clapsticks are used as percussion instruments by the Songmen to accompany dancing along with the didgeridoo (mago).
As well as the more functional carvings, artists portray animals and birds in wood, and these carvings are often painted. Ceremonial carvings include spirit creatures including mukuy (devil devils) and mimi.
Some fine mimi figures have been cast in bronze.
This medium landscape scene depicts two water buffalo and four magpie geese resting beside a water source. This is a common scene in the area surrounding Beswick particularly in the wet season.
This piece has been painted entirely using modern paintbrushes and acrylic paints.
This painting depicts three fish found in local billabongs and waterways surrounding Beswick. At top is a Mouth Almighty, middle is a Catfish, and bottom is a Longtom.
Raark fineline work is completed using a handmade Jarlk brush harvested from local billabongs. Raark is in Yirritja style featuring three or four lines before alternating colour.
This finely crafted crocodile was cut from a Kapok tree. Shaped almost entirely by hand using a wood rasp and sand paper it has been finished in acrylic paint. Teeth are crafted from a different wood, the same material used for spears and fire starting sticks; sharpened to a point they look very life-like!
Flip the crocodile over and you will notice details such as realistic belly colouring, scales, cloaca, and its “underneath” eyes. The attention to detail is incredible despite not being on the non-visible side.
Some Raark or fine line work can be found on the crocodile sides and has been completed using a handmade Jarlk brush harvested from local billabongs and wet areas. This is completed in Yirritja style and consists of three or four lines before alternating colours. Remainder of the piece has been painted using modern western style paint brushes.