Babbarra Women’s Centre

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Kunkurra (Spiral Wind)

‘My designs, they are all alive living up in my head’- Janet Marawarr

Janet Marawarr has depicted kunkurra, the spiralling wind associated with several sites in the Kardbam clan. On one level, this design can be interpreted as a depiction of the kinds of mini-cyclones common during the wet season in Arnhem Land, where the artist lives. Kunkurra also relates specifically to a site called Bilwoyinj, near Mankorlod, on the artist’s clan estate.

At this site, two of the most important Kuninjku creation beings, a father and son known as na-korrkko, are believed to have hunted and eaten a goanna. They left some of the goanna fat behind at the site, which turned into the rock that still stands there today.

Bilwoyinj site is also a ceremonial ground for a ceremony called Yabbaduruwa, a major ceremony owned by the Yirridja patrimoiety. The Yabbaduruwa ceremony is primarily concerned with initiation, land ownership and promoting the cyclical regeneration of the human and natural worlds.

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Kayawa (baby floor mat) and Lorrkon

This design features the Lorrkkon tile by renowned artists and arts worker Raylene Bonson. In a hopscotch pattern, Joy has printed her own Kayawa (baby floor mat) in between.

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Yawkyawk and Wak

‘Yawkyawk swim underneath the rock. They always stay there. When the sun comes out they come out from underneath the river, make themselves warm. They sit and they look around. When they sit, they cry to themselves. Ngaldjorlhbo (mother of everything) she created them – yawkyawk and the other one [Ngalng].

The Mimih one is a long way from the stone country. He is from my uncles country Bardijokhang. My uncle is the famous artist Crusoe Kurddal and he carves and paints Mimih.  

Sometimes yawkyawk sit inside the rock. Sometimes they go out to find the food manme and the mankung (sugarbag). Also they can sing inside the rock cave. Sometimes yawkyawk will see the big rain. When the big rain comes they start looking and when the rain comes they go inside and hide themselves.

Some yawkyawk stay on the dry land in a special place inland from Bardijolhwang.

Some of the stones get stuck on the breasts of the yawkyawk.

There are two yawkyawk in this artwork. One, the wet season yawkyawk has a round face and long hair. The dry season yawkyawk has short hair. There are lots of different yawkyawk in the water.

In my fabric they are all coming together with the grass trees and leaves and the blowing wind. Some of the leaves will fall onto the water. All the round shapes are kunred (rocky country) with dry grass.

This country is called Gamadery (sp), which is located near Mankorlod and Korlobididah, Arnhem Land.’ 

Janet Marawarr 2022

 

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Yam Daisy – Marilyn James

Marilyn James depicts the story of Yam Daisy with her hand cut, lino print design. 

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Yam Daisy – Marilyn James

Marilyn James depicts the story of Yam Daisy with her hand cut, lino print design. 

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Yokkarra (fish), Ngaduna (palm tree) & Barruar (Seagull egg)

‘Hi it’s me Marilyn! I’m the age of 52. I like working at the women centre and doing lino printing but I prefer screen printing. I have one design, that’s lorrkkon (hollow log). My great grandfather used to make lorrkkon and do bark paining. I never met him but I heard a lot of stories about him. My mother used to tell me history stories. When I was 16 my parents passed away. I’m was on my own but now I’ve got my own family and my partner who helps me. I’ve got 6 grandchildren.

My homeland is Entrance island, Haulround island and Juda point. I really like Haulround island and that’s where we collect barruar (seagull egg). Entrance island is my favourite camping area, I go across with boat. Balanda (non-Aboriginal or European people) can’t go into those islands or Juda point without permission from me.

Come and chat to me if you want to go to any of those places. We have a sacred totem ngaduma (palm tree) at those places and if people destroy it, we will have a strong wind and maybe a cyclone.’

Marilyn James 2021

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Lorrkon

‘This is my new lino design, a long time ago when people passed away they used to put bones inside the lorrkon (hollow funeral log). This is an old history story. There is string and feathers on the side, that’s kunyarl. They put parrot feathers on the djerrh (dilly bag).

When I design lino, I think back to stories from when I was a little girl when I was staying at Barrihdjowkkeng next to Mumeka, with my mother and my father when he was still alive. I remember my dad used to make mimih, carrying all the wood. I used to help him when I was a little girl.’

Raylene Bonson

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Manme (Bush food) and Kunred (country)

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Garriwa (Sea Turtle)

A detailed lino print design depicting a sea turtle surrounded by sea shells.

Elizabeth is from the Burrarra language group and her homeland is Gupanga, Arnhem Land.  

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Parrot