PROVENANCE
Mowanjum Aboriginal Art & Culture Centre Cat No. 22-0158
Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Mowanjum Aboriginal Art & Culture Centre.
ARTWORK STORY
Rimijbudda is a powerful Wandjina from the Wanumbul country. Gordon Barunga says: "He's from my mother-s side - Wanumbul, Hunter River, on the sea side from Kalumburu. He's a thief, steals shells and any sorts of things. Rimij means 'robs'." Rimijbudda's exploits as a thief are part of his identity: he used to take from the other Wandjinas when they were hunting or fishing. He would then run away with their wives. Jugalimurra (another Wanumbul Wandjina) works for Rimijmurra by the sea. As in nearly all depictions of Wandjinas, Jagullimarra and Rimijmurra lack mouths. Pudja (Gordon's mother) explained that when the Wandjinas send rain, they make the sound of thunder through their nostrils, but they lack mouths so that it won't rain too hard.
LANGUAGE
Worrora
COMMUNITY/REGION
Mowanjum Community, WA
BIOGRAPHY
Gordon Barunga, born in Derby in 1961, spent his early life in the Mowanjum Community. The youngest son of community leader Albert Barunga and notable painter Pudja Barunga, Gordon initially worked on cattle stations throughout the Kimberley region before taking up painting himself.
Gordon's painting styles alternate between traditional depictions of Wandjina figures and realistic watercolour landscapes reminiscent of Albert Namatjira’s style. His artworks capture his familial connection to Pantijan country, a place he frequently visited during childhood, embedding stories and laws passed down to him.
Gordon often uses fine brushwork in his painting to symbolise the falling rain, representing the powerful spiritual presence of the Wandjina figures in his country.
LITERATURE/ REFERENCES
Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre. "Gordon Barunga." Accessed October 20, 2024.
PROVENANCE
Mowanjum Aboriginal Art & Culture Centre Cat No. 22-0158
Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Mowanjum Aboriginal Art & Culture Centre.
ARTWORK STORY
Rimijbudda is a powerful Wandjina from the Wanumbul country. Gordon Barunga says: "He's from my mother-s side - Wanumbul, Hunter River, on the sea side from Kalumburu. He's a thief, steals shells and any sorts of things. Rimij means 'robs'." Rimijbudda's exploits as a thief are part of his identity: he used to take from the other Wandjinas when they were hunting or fishing. He would then run away with their wives. Jugalimurra (another Wanumbul Wandjina) works for Rimijmurra by the sea. As in nearly all depictions of Wandjinas, Jagullimarra and Rimijmurra lack mouths. Pudja (Gordon's mother) explained that when the Wandjinas send rain, they make the sound of thunder through their nostrils, but they lack mouths so that it won't rain too hard.
LANGUAGE
Worrora
COMMUNITY/REGION
Mowanjum Community, WA
BIOGRAPHY
Gordon Barunga, born in Derby in 1961, spent his early life in the Mowanjum Community. The youngest son of community leader Albert Barunga and notable painter Pudja Barunga, Gordon initially worked on cattle stations throughout the Kimberley region before taking up painting himself.
Gordon's painting styles alternate between traditional depictions of Wandjina figures and realistic watercolour landscapes reminiscent of Albert Namatjira’s style. His artworks capture his familial connection to Pantijan country, a place he frequently visited during childhood, embedding stories and laws passed down to him.
Gordon often uses fine brushwork in his painting to symbolise the falling rain, representing the powerful spiritual presence of the Wandjina figures in his country.
LITERATURE/ REFERENCES
Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre. "Gordon Barunga." Accessed October 20, 2024.
