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 Read more…
Bush Dye The old plant dyes used in Europe like indigo, saffron, woad and logwood fell out of use with the Industrial Revolution. But here, a natural “paintbox” thrives.The most common dyes include:Yellow-orange: Mandjurndum (the bright orange roots of the Pognolobus reticulatus bush)Brown: Wirdilwirdil (the red bulb of Haemadorum breviculae Read more…
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 Read more…
Au-gujechiya (fishtrap) A detailed linocut design portraying a large Au-gujechiya (fishtrap) with an-maka (cowtail stingray), rajarra (barramundi) and other fish inside. Elizabeth is from the Burrarra language group and her homeland is Gupanga, Arnhem Land.
Kunwardde dja Karrbarda (Rocks and Yam Vine) Susan Marawarr is a Kuninjku artist from the Kurulk clan whose country lies around the outstation of Mumeka in central Arnhem Land. In this design, she has depicted karrbarda (long yam) on her traditional country, the kunwardde (stone country). The large stones represent the Read more…
Au-gujechiya (fishtrap) A detailed linocut design portraying a large Au-gujechiya (fishtrap) with an-maka (cowtail stingray), rajarra (barramundi) and other fish inside. Elizabeth is from the Burrarra language group and her homeland is Gupanga, Arnhem Land. Printed with two colours the second layer a metallic bronze.
Man-djarduk (Red Bush Apples) Deborah Wurrkidj is a Kuninjku artist from the Kurulk clan whose country lies around the outstation of Mumeka in central Arnhem Land. In this design she has depicted man-djarduk (red bush apples) – a sweet, crisp bush food that is a favourite to collect. Man-djarduk fruits in kurrung Read more…
Yawkyawk ‘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 Read more…
Gurrpurdu (Diving Bird) A design by emerging textile designer, Charmaine Pascoe. ‘My Gurrpurdu (diving bird) was white. She flew from Gan Gan to Gapuwiyak and then to Yathalamarra. And then she flew to Gartji. At Gartji two fresh water seaweed shoots, one long and one short were trying to keep Read more…