Naku (canoe) This painting depicts naku (canoes) that were made traditionally from the bark of a particular tree and used for hunting. In this painting, Selena has depicted Yolngu men hunting for gumang (magpie geese) eggs.
Burala (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…
Sword fish Billy paints stories from his Dhuwa homeland in north east Arnhem Land. Stories are passed on either paternally or maternally, and Billy would have learnt these stories from his ancestors. The cross-hatching style (Rrark) is a traditional painting style of this area and can represent elements such as water, air Read more…
Baru Dhawu (Crocodile Story) Baru (the crocodile man), was from the Gumatj clan. People usually call him Gurdu Gurdu or Baru which means crocodile. He lived his life at a place called Yirrkala. Living near him were other people, and when Baru didn’t have enough to eat he began to Read more…
Banda (Long Necked Turtle) ga Baru (crocodile) The banda (long necked turtle) and baru (crocodile) are dreaming totems for the freshwater people, the Ganalbingu, whose country includes the World Heritage listed, Arafura Wetlands in Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory The Yolngu (people) of Arnhem Land originate from a spiritual source, Read more…
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…
Banda (long-necked turtle) ga Buliya (catfish) In this painting, Evonne has painted her Mari (mothers, mother) dreaming of Banda (long-necked turtle), Buliya (catfish) and Mundukul (water snake). This is a freshwater story from Ganalbingu country in the Arafura Wetlands. Evonne’s Mari taught Evonne’s mother, Joy Burruna, to paint at an early Read more…
Evonne’s Dhulumburrk (Waterlily) This painting depicts Dhulumburrk (Nymphaea violacea), a fresh waterlily. The flowers and lily pads of fresh waterlilies can be seen far and wide across the Arafura wetlands, providing coverage for many animal species including Banda (long-necked turtle) and Baru (crocodile). The flowers come in many beautiful colours, Read more…
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…
Badurru (Milky Way) This painting depicts Badurru (Milky Way), a significant storyline and songline for the Durrurrnga people. The dupun (hollow log) represents the Badurru bunggul (dance) performed during ceremony. The Badurru dhawu (story) is of a Waak Waak (crow) and cat travelling through the Milky Way and how all Read more…