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 Beings), long ago close to the beginning of time. These creator Read more…
Burrula (Diving Ducks] This painting depicts diving ducks, both realistically and symbolically. A particular clan group uses the object in the painting during a hollow log ceremony (traditional funeral ceremony). The rrark (cross hatching) is the water. One group will perform the catfish dance whilst another performs as diving ducks. Read more…
Warrnyu Dhawu (Flying Fox Story) Back in the Creation time, Warrnyu (Flying Foxes) once lived, like men, in the cave at the place called Kurrki Warrnyu Yirri Djaringal (they also lived in caves called Wadatilmurr & Gurngurmirrngu). Warrnyu lived in these caves for many years and then one day Djanyarr Read more…
Ngambi (limestone spearheads) This painting illustrates elements from the Wagilag Sisters’ Creation story. Ngambi are the stone spear heads that the sisters collected at Ngilipitji on their way to Mirarrmina. The Wagilag Sisters’ Story is primarily an account of how in the distant past the two Wagilag Sisters came out Read more…
Lurrpu & Mayku Tree story (by Peter Gambung) This painting depicts Lurrpu (Sulphur-crested cockatoo) in a Mayku Tree (Paper Bark Tree) and is a song line for the Gupapuyngu people. In the song line the Lurrpu feed on nuts and seeds of the Mayku Tree across the vast landscapes of Read more…
Guwarrtji (sea turtle) Evonne is painting a sea turtle (or Hawksbill Turtle) from his Yirritja song line. This depiction of the Guwarrtji is a small part of a great story which Peter inherited from the Liyagal-wu Mirr tribe, his mother tribe. The diamonds on the Guwarrtji’s shell connect this story Read more…
Warrnyu Dhawu (Flying Fox Story) Back in the Creation time, Warrnyu (Flying Foxes) once lived, like men, in the cave at the place called Kurrki Warrnyu Yirri Djaringal (they also lived in caves called Wadatilmurr & Gurngurmirrngu). Warrnyu lived in these caves for many years and then one day Djanyarr Read more…
Giny-giny (Catfish) Peter Gambong is painting the Giny-giny (Catfish) story from his Gupapuyngu ancestry. The Giny-giny is a particularly significant animal to Peter, and the Giny-giny song line is one of two song lines which Peter uses in ceremony. Peter would perform the Giny-giny song line at a Gupapuyngu funeral Read more…
Giny-giny (Catfish) Peter Gambong is painting the Giny-giny (Catfish) story from his Gupapuyngu ancestry. The Giny-giny is a particularly significant animal to Peter, and the Giny-giny song line is one of two song lines which Peter uses in ceremony. Peter would perform the Giny-giny song line at a Gupapuyngu funeral Read more…
Baltji (Yam) This painting depicts Baltji (Yam) which has been a reliable food source for Yolngu people for many centuries. Baltji can be found across the different landscapes of East Arnhem Land and are only harvested seasonally.