Tabil rockhole This is Ngarga’s Country- her ‘ngurra’ (home Country, camp). People identify with their ngurra in terms of specific rights and responsibilities, and the possession of intimate knowledge of the physical and cultural properties of one’s Country. Painting ngurra, Read more…
Yawkyawk Yawkyawk is a word in the Kunwinjku/Kunwok language of Western Arnhem Land meaning ‘young woman’ and ‘young woman spirit being’. The different groups of Kunwinjku people (one of the Eastern dialect groups call themselves Kuninjku) each have Yawkyawk mythologies, Read more…
Kira Kiro Country “This painting shows the country before the fires and before people started changing the environment.” The country is alive with Madjal (Grasses) – Watja (Leaves) – Yulu (Bush Flowers) – Kanandur (Pandanus)- Kulalar (Vines) surrounding a 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…
Bush Spirits Mary has depicted Kira Kiro or bush spirits in this painting. They are believed to be protectors of sacred ceremonial places and tribes as they wander through the bush. Fire is in the foreground of the work, which Read more…
Namorrorddo a profane spirit Namorrorddo is a profane spirit sometimes called a ‘bad angel’ in Aboriginal English. The Namorrorddo is a yirridjdja moiety being associated with the Yabbadurruwa regional cult ceremony. Namorrorddo sits upon a rock and is usually painted Read more…
Kira Kiro hunting Kira Kiro are hunting in the bush. They are happy that it is the wet season and there is plenty of bush tucker.
Kunawarritji This painting depicts country around the artist’s home of Kunawarritji. Kunawarritji is an important site in the Great Sandy Desert where multiple stories and histories intersect. Originally an important spring water, at the turn of the 20th century Kunawarritji Read more…
Jarntinti – Mayiwalku “This is a linyji (claypan). We find kalaru (seed used for making damper from samphire bush) there that we collect. Too much good tucker!” – Mayiwalku May Chapman Jarntinti is a large claypan at the Southern end Read more…
Untitled This is Wurta Amy French’s Country- her ‘ngurra’ (home Country, camp). People identify with their ngurra in terms of specific rights and responsibilities, and the possession of intimate knowledge of the physical and cultural properties of one’s Country. Painting Read more…