Warrnyu Dhawu (Flying Fox Story) Back in the Creation time, Warrnyu (Flying Foxes) once lived, like men, in the cave at the place called Kurrki Warrnyu Yirri Djaringal (they also lived in caves called Wadatilmurr & Gurngurmirrngu). Warrnyu lived in Read more…
Gananhdharr (white heron) This painting represents the Gananhdharr song line. Gananhdharr (white heron) can be seen at low tide searching for goya (fish) particularly garkuyi (mullet). They hunt alongside their ŋäṉḏi (mother), Ngulungulu (grey heron), at low tide, across the Read more…
Wayanaka (oysters), Djanda (goanna) ga Wurrutjara (sand palm) Cecilia has painted totemic species significant to her Durrurrnga clan. In this painting she has depicted Wayanaka (oysters), Djanda (goanna) and Wurrutjara (Sandpalm).
Naku (canoe) This painting depicts naku (canoes) that were made traditionally from the bark of a particular tree and used for hunting. In this painting, Selena has depicted Yolngu men hunting for gumang (magpie geese) eggs.
Burala (Diving Ducks] This painting depicts diving ducks, both realistically and symbolically. A particular clan group uses the object in the painting during a hollow log ceremony (traditional funeral ceremony). The rrark (cross hatching) is the water. One group will Read more…
Sword fish Billy paints stories from his Dhuwa homeland in north east Arnhem Land. Stories are passed on either paternally or maternally, and Billy would have learnt these stories from his ancestors. The cross-hatching style (Rrark) is a traditional painting style of Read more…
Baru Dhawu (Crocodile Story) Baru (the crocodile man), was from the Gumatj clan. People usually call him Gurdu Gurdu or Baru which means crocodile. He lived his life at a place called Yirrkala. Living near him were other people, and Read more…
Banda (Long Necked Turtle) ga Baru (crocodile) The banda (long necked turtle) and baru (crocodile) are dreaming totems for the freshwater people, the Ganalbingu, whose country includes the World Heritage listed, Arafura Wetlands in Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory The Read more…
Raypiny Dhawu (Fresh Water Story) All Aboriginal people 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 spirits) Read more…