PROVENANCE
Bula Bula Arts N.T. Cat No.D1953/GA11
Private Collection
Cooee Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
EXHIBITED
Bark Paintings 1930-2000, July 2011, Coo-ee Art Gallery
ARTWORK STORY
The people of Central Arnhemland are people of the trees. The yolngu word for bushland, ‘diltji’, means backbone characterising the forest as the frame that supports life.
The forest is a place rich in foods and in August September each year when the eucalypt trees flower the native honey is collected.
This painting shows the totems and body paint design from the Yirritja Narra Birrkulda ceremony (age grading ceremony). The totems represent the hollow tree which is shown as the longitudinal section to indicate a hive of wild bee honey. The diamond indicates the wax honey and larvae of the bees. At the top of the totem is shown the hole through which the bees enter the log.
COMMUNITY/REGION
Millingimbi, NT
LANGUAGE
Gupapuyngu
BIOGRAPHY
James Gaykamangu is a Yolngu artist from the Northern Territory. He paints using a traditional brush made from strands of hair bound to a small twig. Alongside his art practice, he is a qualified teacher and interpreter fluent in seventeen Aboriginal languages as well as English. Deeply committed to cultural education, he teaches young people hunting skills and traditional values. Outside of work, he enjoys painting and watching cricket. He met his wife, Peggy Anderson, while they were both studying at college.
REFERENCES
Mimi Aboriginal Arts & Crafts
PROVENANCE
Bula Bula Arts N.T. Cat No.D1953/GA11
Private Collection
Cooee Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
EXHIBITED
Bark Paintings 1930-2000, July 2011, Coo-ee Art Gallery
ARTWORK STORY
The people of Central Arnhemland are people of the trees. The yolngu word for bushland, ‘diltji’, means backbone characterising the forest as the frame that supports life.
The forest is a place rich in foods and in August September each year when the eucalypt trees flower the native honey is collected.
This painting shows the totems and body paint design from the Yirritja Narra Birrkulda ceremony (age grading ceremony). The totems represent the hollow tree which is shown as the longitudinal section to indicate a hive of wild bee honey. The diamond indicates the wax honey and larvae of the bees. At the top of the totem is shown the hole through which the bees enter the log.
COMMUNITY/REGION
Millingimbi, NT
LANGUAGE
Gupapuyngu
BIOGRAPHY
James Gaykamangu is a Yolngu artist from the Northern Territory. He paints using a traditional brush made from strands of hair bound to a small twig. Alongside his art practice, he is a qualified teacher and interpreter fluent in seventeen Aboriginal languages as well as English. Deeply committed to cultural education, he teaches young people hunting skills and traditional values. Outside of work, he enjoys painting and watching cricket. He met his wife, Peggy Anderson, while they were both studying at college.
REFERENCES
Mimi Aboriginal Arts & Crafts
