Bula’bula Arts

Lidji Lidji (Finch) This artwork represents totemic finches. These birds herald the beginning of the dry season and are associated with the Ganalbingu clan. Lidji Lidji are also represented in ceremonial song and dance.

Ganybu (Fishing Net/Drag Net) This is a story from the old times, about how Yolngu ancestors used to live.  Here the men are in the Arafura Swamp, catching the fish with a drag net, through the flooded plains and into the fish trap.

Mapu (egg) Eggs are very important to Yolngu people. They are very common in the bush from both birds and reptiles such as magpie geese, lizards, turtles and crocodiles. They are used in ceremony and a food source. The artists in Ramingining paint designs and images of animals, plants, and Read more…

Woven Mat Traditionally, Nganiyal (conical mats) were used as an insect screen when erected, and as a sitting mat when folded. They are used in Ceremony as well as a functional item.  Nowadays, artists weave many different shapes including flat, round and oblong. 

Gumang (Magpie Geese) The Yolngu people of Arnhem Land 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 Beings) long ago close to the beginning of time. The Read more…

Gumang (Magpie Geese) The Yolngu people of Arnhem Land 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 Beings) long ago close to the beginning of time. The Read more…

JB Fisher – Wuldulbal/badju (bream) JB paints stories from his Dhuwa homeland in northeast Arnhem Land. Stories are passed on either paternally or maternally, and JB would have learnt these stories from his ancestors. The cross-hatching style is a traditional painting style of this area and can represent elements such as water, Read more…

Mapu (egg) Eggs are very important to Yolngu people. They are very common in the bush from both birds and reptiles such as magpie geese, lizards, turtles and crocodiles. They are used in ceremony and a food source. The artists in Ramingining paint designs and images of animals, plants, and Read more…

Mapu (egg) Eggs are very important to Yolngu people. They are very common in the bush from both birds and reptiles such as magpie geese, lizards, turtles and crocodiles. They are used in ceremony and a food source. The artists in Ramingining paint designs and images of animals, plants, and Read more…