Malka (Ceremonial Head Wear) Malka are ceremonial head adornments made from balgurr (Kurrajong). The bark is stripped from the tree, smashed with a rock to soften then boiled, sometimes with natural bush dyes. The balgurr is then rolled in the a rope then used to create ceremonial wear.
Bottles Robyn Djunginy began weaving bottle sculptures in 1983, after the Curator Djon Mundine, suggested to Djunginy that she may like to encase an empty gin bottle in Pandanus fibre ‘Chianti-style’ for an exhibition he was organising. Using a local twining technique, the artist began producing multiple woven bottles of Read more…
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.
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…
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…
Woven Mat Traditionally, Nganiyal (conical mats) were used as an insect screen when erected, and as a sitting mat when folded. They are used in Ceremony as well as a functional item. Nowadays, artists weave many different shapes including flat, round and oblong.
Woven Mat Traditionally, Nganiyal (conical mats) were used as an insect screen when erected, and as a sitting mat when folded. They are used in Ceremony as well as a functional item. Nowadays, artists weave many different shapes including flat, round and oblong.
JB Fisher – Djanda (lizard) 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 (Rrark) is a traditional painting style of this area and can represent elements such as Read more…
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.
Bak ‘bididi (frogs) This painting depicts 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.