Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

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Wayuk

‘I always follow the footpath of my grandmother. I have too many stories of my grandmother. We went to the bush and ate bushtucker like yam, yabbie, barra, catfish and magpie goose. We didn’t come into town often, we were staying at Barrihdjowkkeng outstation. I learned how the old people used to live. I always think about my family out there and I keep going. My grandmother asked me to work with her for many years. I watched her making lino and screen printing. That’s why I stay in this job and I’m for the women’s centre’.  Roseanna Bonson 2021

Roseanna’s first design is a 2 colour waterlily design. Wayuk (waterlily) *kuninjki grow in the swamps around Barrihdjowkkeng.

‘The flowers of the waterlily are white and yellow and I like that kind of colour.’ Roseanna Bonson 2021

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Wayuk

‘I always follow the footpath of my grandmother. I have too many stories of my grandmother. We went to the bush and ate bushtucker like yam, yabbie, barra, catfish and magpie goose. We didn’t come into town often, we were staying at Barrihdjowkkeng outstation. I learned how the old people used to live. I always think about my family out there and I keep going. My grandmother asked me to work with her for many years. I watched her making lino and screen printing. That’s why I stay in this job and I’m for the women’s centre’.  Roseanna Bonson 2021

Roseanna’s first design is a 2 colour waterlily design. Wayuk (waterlily) *kuninjki grow in the swamps around Barrihdjowkkeng.

‘The flowers of the waterlily are white and yellow and I like that kind of colour.’ Roseanna Bonson 2021

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Yawkyawk and Kunmadj

Yawkyawk (young woman spirit) and Kunmadj (dilly bag).

This 2007 design has been recently re-exposed from the screen print archive. It has not been printed in the studio for many years.

Ruth Bindebal is the sister to Abigail Namundja and daughter of Jennifer Wurrkidj. 

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Yawkyawk and Kunmadj

Yawkyawk (young woman spirit) and Kunmadj (dilly bag).

This 2007 design has been recently re-exposed from the screen print archive. It has not been printed in the studio for many years.

Ruth Bindebal is the sister to Abigail Namundja and daughter of Jennifer Wurrkidj. 

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Yawkyawk and Kunmadj

Yawkyawk (young woman spirit) and Kunmadj (dilly bag).

This 2007 design has been recently re-exposed from the screen print archive. It has not been printed in the studio for many years.

Ruth Bindebal is the sister to Abigail Namundja and daughter of Jennifer Wurrkidj. 

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Yawkyawk and Kunmadj

Yawkyawk (young woman spirit) and Kunmadj (dilly bag).

This 2007 design has been recently re-exposed from the screen print archive. It has not been printed in the studio for many years.

Ruth Bindebal is the sister to Abigail Namundja and daughter of Jennifer Wurrkidj. 

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Bamboo Shoot Top

‘I see bamboo everywhere where i go in Maningrida. I see it at every house – it’s a common house plant. When i see bamboo i get excited because i feel at home. Bamboo makes me feel good.’ Belinda Kernan

This fabric was created using the linocut printing technique. The lino tile has been carved by the artist in Maningrida, and has been printed by hand using a variety of colours and layers. The linocut technique ensures each textile piece is a one-off, limited edition piece. Bábbarra Women’s Centre supports the economic independence of Indigenous women in the Arnhem Land community of Maningrida, Northern Territory, Australia. Designs created by the women at Bábbarra reflect strong cultural knowledge, which is passed down to younger generations through their textile design practice.

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Buluwana (Kuninjku Spirit Woman) 2022

Abigail and her late mother, the renowned Kuninjku fibre and textile artist Jennifer Wurrkidj created this design together. Ruth said her mum was telling the story of Buluwana while they were sitting and drawing.

“She’s an old lady from our ancestor creation time, before mimih spirits roamed the land. Her skin name is Wamutjan– she is from the Dhuwa moiety. When the mimih came to our country, she turned into stone out Yikarrakkal and Manmoyi way.

She lives in a sacred place, where she turned to stone she lives there now forever. She is an important woman for my people.

I draw her because she my dreaming. I can’t tell the full story about Buluwana, because it’s a little bit secret, but it’s okay for me to paint her and share these parts. My people can know the full Buluwana story, and the djungkay (caretaker) can tell the full Buluwana story too.” J. Wurrkidj

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Welebme (flat stone), giri-giri (thorne), & kono (flowers)

‘I wanted to create this drawing, telling my kids and husbands dreaming story. I want to keep the story alive for my grandchildren so when they grow up, they can learn their families stories. I always tell my granddaughter about the work i’m doing so she can know and keep it in her mind. She’s growing up now but still is always learning about my stories and asks me questions everyday about my work.

I call this design Welebme, giri-giri, & kono (flowers), this story comes from Bulukhaduru. 

The giri-giri always rips our clothes and scratches our skin when we go our hunting. It’s really sharp and long, all the kids tell me they don’t like that thorne!’

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Ngaldadmurrng (Saratoga)

This design tells the story of Saratoga dreaming,  a freshwater fish that swims on the edge of creeks and rivers. This design is the Saratoga dreaming from the Mularra songline. Where the Saratoga we call Murdulngu, Danguny travelled from Malmyangarnak billabong to Mirrigatja.

This Billabong was owned by Murdulngu (Saratoga) before the water was taken over by shark Barlangu he came all the way from east to north then to west. He was travelling when that water level was high he went up the stream but he couldn’t make it. This Barlangu came from Murruggun clan but really this shark came from long way all the way south. This story is connected through Mularra songline it represents many clans.

With permission from clan elders, Carol is able to pass on this family knowledge through her passion in textile and art.

‘I am proud of my first design, I want to keep this design for future, for my children and grandchildren so they remember this story, this story is a big part of the mularra songline’ Carol Liyawanga Campion