Artist: Paul Buwang Buwang Gurruwiwi | Title: Yam | Year: 2009 | Medium: natural earth pigments on wood with bush string and feathers | Dimensions: 50 x 7 cm
PROVENANCE
Elcho Island Arts, NT Cat No. 09-1085
Coo-ee Art Gallery, NSW Cat No. 9311BB
Accompanied by certificates of authenticity from Elcho Island Arts, NT & Coo-ee Art Gallery, NSW.
ARTWORK STORY
This pole was created by Paul Buwang Buwang Gurruwiwi, son of Gali Yalkarriwuy, a recognised custodian of the Banumbirr (Morning Star). Buwang Buwang’s work, like that of his father, is grounded in the ancestral country of Ngaypinya and reflects the cultural responsibilities of the Dhuwa clans of the Yolŋu people for the Banumbirr.
The pole incorporates earth pigments, bush string, and white feathers—materials central to Morning Star ceremonial objects in north-east Arnhem Land.
The feathered string represents the glowing “light rope” that links Banumbirr (Venus) to the Earth, a feature described in Yolŋu creation narratives in which the Djan’kawu sisters release the Morning Star into the eastern sky attached to a long spiritual cord. As Venus rises, its light spreads across the landscape, reflected in the soft shimmer of the feathers. Morning Star poles embody this movement and are used in song, dance, and ceremonial exchange.
Artist Profile
Clan: Gurruwiwi
Language: Galpu
PROVENANCE
Elcho Island Arts, NT Cat No. 09-1085
Coo-ee Art Gallery, NSW Cat No. 9311BB
Accompanied by certificates of authenticity from Elcho Island Arts, NT & Coo-ee Art Gallery, NSW.
ARTWORK STORY
This pole was created by Paul Buwang Buwang Gurruwiwi, son of Gali Yalkarriwuy, a recognised custodian of the Banumbirr (Morning Star). Buwang Buwang’s work, like that of his father, is grounded in the ancestral country of Ngaypinya and reflects the cultural responsibilities of the Dhuwa clans of the Yolŋu people for the Banumbirr.
The pole incorporates earth pigments, bush string, and white feathers—materials central to Morning Star ceremonial objects in north-east Arnhem Land.
The feathered string represents the glowing “light rope” that links Banumbirr (Venus) to the Earth, a feature described in Yolŋu creation narratives in which the Djan’kawu sisters release the Morning Star into the eastern sky attached to a long spiritual cord. As Venus rises, its light spreads across the landscape, reflected in the soft shimmer of the feathers. Morning Star poles embody this movement and are used in song, dance, and ceremonial exchange.
Artist Profile
Clan: Gurruwiwi
Language: Galpu