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…
Hunting Story Johnny’s painting depicts and old way of life- hunting next to the river. You can see Yolngu are spearing the fish, and have also places a fish trap in the water. He has also paintings two camps- with a shelter and a fire.
Raypiny Dhawu (Fresh Water Story) All Aboriginal people 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 spirits) that were created long ago close to the beginning of Read more…
Bak ‘bididi (frogs) This painting represents Bak’bididi (frogs) sitting around a billabong. The Arafura wetlands across East Arnhem Land are filled with billabongs during the wet season, providing the perfect living conditions for bak’bididi. Their calls you can hear far and wide during the day and night.
Banumbirr- Morning Star Ceremony by Burruna Banumbirr – Morning Star Ceremony (Dhuwa moiety) The Morning Star Ceremony is from the Dhuwa moiety. I have painted the ceremony here. It’s got leaves from the banyan tree (ficus virnens) that makes figs for people to eat – they are part of our Read more…
Medigi (Paperbark Mosquito House) This painting is inspired by a larger artwork by George Milpurrurru (dec.), which in turn was inspired by photographs taken by anthropologist, Donald Thompson. During the wet season, Aboriginal people lived in a circular paperbark house like a large igloo in which a fire was kept 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…
Koskela Lampshade This beautiful lampshade is made with pandanus. Once harvested from the jungle, the fibres are dyed with roots, barks, leaves or fruits making the natural dyes. The weavers of Ramingining in Northeast Arnhem Land usually create traditional ceremonial and ritual objects working together as a group to harvest Read more…
Woven Mat Yolŋu weavers of Arnhem Land create utilitarian, ceremonial, and decorative pieces using naturally sourced materials. This mat is made from young Pandanus spiralis leaves, harvested with a wooden hook, stripped of prickles, and dried to create strong, resilient fibres. These fibres are then twisted, coiled, or woven using Read more…
Koskela Lampshade This beautiful lampshade is made with traditional Bush string made from the fibres between the bark and the trunk of the kurrajong tree. Once harvested from the jungle the fibres are dyed with roots, barks, leaves or fruits making the natural dyes. They are then rolled into this Read more…