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…
Woven Sculpture (Buyila) Yolŋu weavers of Arnhem Land craft both utilitarian and ceremonial objects using naturally sourced materials, with more recent works also including decorative pieces. The choice of fibre depends on the intended function of each piece. One of the primary materials is the young, green leaves of the Read more…
Goṉḏarra (Mullet) Johnny has painted the goṉḏarra (mullet) circling a stone. It is a story from his grandmother from Milingimbi, where the fish swim around the stone and the stone stays in place.
Northern Marbled Velvet Gecko (Oedura marmorata) Aboriginal art in Ramingining, Central Arnhem Land is commonly illustrated through designs and images of animals, plants, and landscape. These motifs commonly reflect the artists ancestral inheritance and their dreamings and are referred to as totems. For this painting, the artist has painted Northern Marbled Velvet Read more…
Lungurrma (North-east Wind) Lungurrma (North-east Wind) heralds the new season when seas are calm and new growth starts. The months for this type of wind are October to December. There are big clouds without thunder or rain. The triangular patterning represents monsoon clouds ‘standing up’ on the northern horizon. The 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…
Ganalbingu – Banda (Long Necked Turtle) The long necked turtle is a dreaming totem 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, fixed in a particular Read more…
Djerrk (Bush String Bag) Djerrk (Bush String Bag) is a flexible, open weave bag made from the bark of Balgurr (red-flowered Kurrajong) but can also be made using Banyan Tree or the Cocky Apple Tree. The bark is harvested by cutting sections of the tree from the trunk. Depending on Read more…
Bäru Dhäwu (Crocodile Story) Bäru (the crocodile man), was from the Gumatj clan. People usually call him Gurdu Gurdu or Bäru which means crocodile. He lived his life at a place called Yirrkala. Living near him were other people, and when Bäru didn’t have enough to eat he began to Read more…
Lorrpu ga Marrngu in the Mayku tree This painting depicts Lurrpu (Sulphur-crested cockatoo) and Marrngu (possum) 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 Read more…