Buwathay Ŋuykal, 2019

natural earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus tetradonta)

114 x 14 cm

$2,500

Provenance: Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala, NT, Cat No. 1224-19
Artwork story: Ŋuykal, the ancestral Kingfish is a totemic fish shared by the Maŋgalili and the Wangurri clans of the Yirritja moiety. Buwathay is the eldest son of Mathulu, a senior clan leader for the Wangurri. Ŋuykal travelled in both salt and fresh water country and is associated with androgyny and metamorphism. This piece has been covered with the Wangurri clan design for an area of saltwater covering the country called Wulwala- close to the peninsula known as Cape Wilberforce. Here the saltwater is flat and calm and 'shimmers' to the horizon, a condition called Gunbiḻk. Emphasising his knowledge as a senior man amongst the ranks of other traditional lawmen, in disclosing the subject of the painting, the artist intones deeper names for the same area: Rakurrurru, Madawuluwu, Riŋgurram, Mawalan, Dhalatj, Rakuna. Hidden under this water is the rock Dhukururra, its foundation cemented into the sea bed. The totem giant clam Dhalimbu' is also here. In this part of the ocean also lives Limin, the squid as shown here. The painting proclaims knowledge and ownership of the life source: subterranean rivers of fresh water from land which surface under the sea at this place, Wulwala. As told by the artist: 'This is very important to my people - you steal fish or camping in this area without permission. It's mine that area - I run the (sacred) business.’

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natural earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus tetradonta)

114 x 14 cm

$2,500

Provenance: Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala, NT, Cat No. 1224-19
Artwork story: Ŋuykal, the ancestral Kingfish is a totemic fish shared by the Maŋgalili and the Wangurri clans of the Yirritja moiety. Buwathay is the eldest son of Mathulu, a senior clan leader for the Wangurri. Ŋuykal travelled in both salt and fresh water country and is associated with androgyny and metamorphism. This piece has been covered with the Wangurri clan design for an area of saltwater covering the country called Wulwala- close to the peninsula known as Cape Wilberforce. Here the saltwater is flat and calm and 'shimmers' to the horizon, a condition called Gunbiḻk. Emphasising his knowledge as a senior man amongst the ranks of other traditional lawmen, in disclosing the subject of the painting, the artist intones deeper names for the same area: Rakurrurru, Madawuluwu, Riŋgurram, Mawalan, Dhalatj, Rakuna. Hidden under this water is the rock Dhukururra, its foundation cemented into the sea bed. The totem giant clam Dhalimbu' is also here. In this part of the ocean also lives Limin, the squid as shown here. The painting proclaims knowledge and ownership of the life source: subterranean rivers of fresh water from land which surface under the sea at this place, Wulwala. As told by the artist: 'This is very important to my people - you steal fish or camping in this area without permission. It's mine that area - I run the (sacred) business.’