Bula’bula Arts

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JB Fisher – Mewal

This painting is about the story of the rock Mewal, that is the embodiment of the spirit man Mokuy who created the honey men/sugar bag tribe. In the story, Mokuy runs away from from a burning grass fire and to escape he turns into the special curved shape rock that is just outside Ramingining. In this painting people are singing and dancing to Mewal around a special tree. It is a ceremony day. People are also collecting Yams (Pitarro) a bush tucker vegetable that is black on the outside and white on the inside.

This is JB Fisher’s story from his country in the heritage listed Arafura Wetlands in North East Arnhem Land. He has inherited this story from his Father, and his Fathers Father, and this story goes back forever. As long as the Yolngu people have been here.

 

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JB Fisher – Mewal

This painting is about the story of the rock Mewal, that is the embodiment of the spirit man Mokuy who created the honey men/sugar bag tribe. In the story, Mokuy runs away from from a burning grass fire and to escape he turns into the special curved shape rock that is just outside Ramingining. In this painting people are singing and dancing to Mewal around a special tree. It is a ceremony day. People are also collecting Yams (Pitarro) a bush tucker vegetable that is black on the outside and white on the inside.

This is JB Fisher’s story from his country in the heritage listed Arafura Wetlands in North East Arnhem Land. He has inherited this story from his Father, and his Fathers Father, and this story goes back forever. As long as the Yolngu people have been here.

 

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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 traditional techniques to produce both functional and decorative mats.

Bula’bula weavers exclusively use natural dyes, derived from locally sourced roots, leaves and grasses. These pigments are extracted and infused into pandanus fibres by boiling over an open fire, producing the rich, vibrant colours characteristic of contemporary Yolŋu weavings.

Traditionally, Nganiyal (conical mats) functioned as insect screens when erected and as seating mats when folded, playing an important role in both daily life and ceremonial practices. Today, Yolŋu artists create a variety of shapes, including flat, round, and oblong mats. These non-traditional styles and the use of bright colours became more common after Missionaries began commissioning pieces in this style.

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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 traditional techniques to produce both functional and decorative mats.

Bula’bula weavers exclusively use natural dyes, derived from locally sourced roots, leaves and grasses. These pigments are extracted and infused into pandanus fibres by boiling over an open fire, producing the rich, vibrant colours characteristic of contemporary Yolŋu weavings.

Traditionally, Nganiyal (conical mats) functioned as insect screens when erected and as seating mats when folded, playing an important role in both daily life and ceremonial practices. Today, Yolŋu artists create a variety of shapes, including flat, round, and oblong mats. These non-traditional styles and the use of bright colours became more common after Missionaries began commissioning pieces in this style.

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Buliya (catfish)

Buliya (catfish) are a favourite fish for Yolngu, They are often depicted amongst the waterlillies, leeches and natural debris such as leaves and reeds.

 

 

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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 the size of the tree, this can involve removing small sections or the whole trunk. The inner bark is then softened by being beaten or chewed, then dyed.

Bula’bula weavers exclusively use natural dyes, derived from locally sourced roots, leaves and grasses. These pigments are extracted and infused into dried balgurr fibres by boiling over an open fire, producing the rich, vibrant colours characteristic of contemporary Yolŋu weavings.

Once dyed, the fibre is separated into fine strips the rolled on the thigh to create a rope, otherwise known as bush string. The bush string is woven and knotted to create the Djerrk (String Bag). This bag was used for every day utilitarian purposes, particularly collecting bush foods.

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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 the size of the tree, this can involve removing small sections or the whole trunk. The inner bark is then softened by being beaten or chewed, then dyed.

Bula’bula weavers exclusively use natural dyes, derived from locally sourced roots, leaves and grasses. These pigments are extracted and infused into dried balgurr fibres by boiling over an open fire, producing the rich, vibrant colours characteristic of contemporary Yolŋu weavings.

Once dyed, the fibre is separated into fine strips the rolled on the thigh to create a rope, otherwise known as bush string. The bush string is woven and knotted to create the Djerrk (String Bag). This bag was used for every day utilitarian purposes, particularly collecting bush foods.

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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 the size of the tree, this can involve removing small sections or the whole trunk. The inner bark is then softened by being beaten or chewed, then dyed.

Bula’bula weavers exclusively use natural dyes, derived from locally sourced roots, leaves and grasses. These pigments are extracted and infused into dried balgurr fibres by boiling over an open fire, producing the rich, vibrant colours characteristic of contemporary Yolŋu weavings.

Once dyed, the fibre is separated into fine strips the rolled on the thigh to create a rope, otherwise known as bush string. The bush string is woven and knotted to create the Djerrk (String Bag). This bag was used for every day utilitarian purposes, particularly collecting bush foods.

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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 traditional techniques to produce both functional and decorative mats.

Bula’bula weavers exclusively use natural dyes, derived from locally sourced roots, leaves and grasses. These pigments are extracted and infused into pandanus fibres by boiling over an open fire, producing the rich, vibrant colours characteristic of contemporary Yolŋu weavings.

Traditionally, Nganiyal (conical mats) functioned as insect screens when erected and as seating mats when folded, playing an important role in both daily life and ceremonial practices. Today, Yolŋu artists create a variety of shapes, including flat, round, and oblong mats. These non-traditional styles and the use of bright colours became more common after Missionaries began commissioning pieces in this style.

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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 traditional techniques to produce both functional and decorative mats.

Bula’bula weavers exclusively use natural dyes, derived from locally sourced roots, leaves and grasses. These pigments are extracted and infused into pandanus fibres by boiling over an open fire, producing the rich, vibrant colours characteristic of contemporary Yolŋu weavings.

Traditionally, Nganiyal (conical mats) functioned as insect screens when erected and as seating mats when folded, playing an important role in both daily life and ceremonial practices. Today, Yolŋu artists create a variety of shapes, including flat, round, and oblong mats. These non-traditional styles and the use of bright colours became more common after Missionaries began commissioning pieces in this style.