Artist: James Gaykamangu | Title: Niwuda - Wild Honey Totem | Year: 1992 | Medium: natural earth pigments on bark | Dimensions: 60 x 117cm
PROVENANCE
Bula Bula Arts N.T. Cat No.D1953/GA11
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.
Artist Profile
COMMUNITY/REGION
Millingimbi, NT
LANGUAGE
Gupapuyngu
BIOGRAPHY
James is a Yolngu artist and his country is in the Northern Territory of Australia. His paintbrush is made of strands of hair tied to a small twig.
James is a qualified teacher and interpreter; he is fluent in 17 aboriginal languages as well as English. His personal interests are teaching hunting skills and traditional values to young people, painting and watching cricket. James met his wife, Peggy Anderson, when they were both at college.
REFERENCES
- Text from Mimi Aboriginal Arts & Crafts
PROVENANCE
Bula Bula Arts N.T. Cat No.D1953/GA11
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.
Artist Profile
COMMUNITY/REGION
Millingimbi, NT
LANGUAGE
Gupapuyngu
BIOGRAPHY
James is a Yolngu artist and his country is in the Northern Territory of Australia. His paintbrush is made of strands of hair tied to a small twig.
James is a qualified teacher and interpreter; he is fluent in 17 aboriginal languages as well as English. His personal interests are teaching hunting skills and traditional values to young people, painting and watching cricket. James met his wife, Peggy Anderson, when they were both at college.
REFERENCES
- Text from Mimi Aboriginal Arts & Crafts
