Artist: Wilson Ganambarr Manydjarri | Title: Fish, Catfish and Goanna | Year: c.1990 | Medium: natural earth pigments on bark | Dimensions: 123 x 52 cm
PROVENANCE
Elcho Island Arts NT
Private Collection NSW
ARTWORK STORY
The name of the country is Barnbarrdji which is close to Rorrawuy on the eastern side of Arnhem Bay. This work depicts the Djanda (goanna), a totem animal of dhuwa moiety clans including the Datiwuy clan.
There are two djanda in this painting however they represent a singular djanda as it goes in and comes out of Gapu Milminydjarrk (sacred waterholes). Manydjarri explains that the djanda is walking into the Milminydjarrk and then coming out and going to his hole or burrow in the earth.
Traditionally, and still today, this design is painted onto the chest of young boys going into Dhapi (coming of age) ceremony. It can also be painted onto bodies during the Ngarra (cleansing) or Bapuru (funeral) ceremonies. Wilson explains that during Bapuru in the old time the design was painted on the body of the dead person today the design is painted on the body as well as on the coffin.
This rarrk is called Nganak. It is only used to signify the tracks of goanna going in and out of the Milminydjarrk and is always limited to a palette of yellow, red and white.
The roundel at the centre of the work represents Gawl (fish trap) placed by the Djankawu and blocking a creek at the site. Inside the trap are ‘Gapila’. The fish on the outside of the work are Rarrtjuk (barramundi) and Lirrmunga (Dhuwa catfish).
Story direct from the artist, Milingimbi, 2017. Cooee Gallery tracked down the artist and provenance of this work with the help of Milingimbi and Buku Larrnggay Arts Centres.
Artist Profile
COMMUNITY/REGION
Elcho Island, NT
LANGUAGE
Yolngu (Dhuwal)
BIOGRAPHY
Wilson Ganambarr Manydjarri was born in the bush at Golŋa (Rorruwuy) on Ḏäṯiwuy country in Arnhem Bay. As a child, he learned traditional skills from his father, such as making ṉuwayak (bark shelters) for protection during the wet season. He recalls building smoky fires to ward off mosquitos, known as milkmilk. From an early age, Manydjarri was capable of crafting his own garranuk (spear) for hunting animals like wallaby and emu, and fishing. He also learned to play the yiḏaki (didgeridoo) and perform manikay (song) from his father.
At around 15 years old, Manydjarri moved to Yirrkala, and after spending a few years in school, he joined his family in Maṯamaṯa, where a new homeland was being established. Later, he moved to Galiwin’ku (Elcho Island), working in various roles, including road construction, fishing, and at the first art center, where he began developing his skills as a painter and carver. In the 1980s, he returned to Rorruwuy to establish a homeland with his father, and he became involved with the Buku Larrŋgay Mulka Art Centre in Yirrkala.
Manydjarri’s art and cultural knowledge took him across Australia and internationally. He traveled to Chicago for an exhibition and participated in a significant Baṉumbirr (Morning Star) ceremony at the Maritime Museum in Sydney in 2002.
REFERENCES
Milingimbi Art and Culture. (n.d.). Wilson Ganambarr Manydjarri - Artist Profile. Retrieved September 22, 2024, from https://milingimbiart.com/project/wilson-ganambarr-manydjarri/
PROVENANCE
Elcho Island Arts NT
Private Collection NSW
ARTWORK STORY
The name of the country is Barnbarrdji which is close to Rorrawuy on the eastern side of Arnhem Bay. This work depicts the Djanda (goanna), a totem animal of dhuwa moiety clans including the Datiwuy clan.
There are two djanda in this painting however they represent a singular djanda as it goes in and comes out of Gapu Milminydjarrk (sacred waterholes). Manydjarri explains that the djanda is walking into the Milminydjarrk and then coming out and going to his hole or burrow in the earth.
Traditionally, and still today, this design is painted onto the chest of young boys going into Dhapi (coming of age) ceremony. It can also be painted onto bodies during the Ngarra (cleansing) or Bapuru (funeral) ceremonies. Wilson explains that during Bapuru in the old time the design was painted on the body of the dead person today the design is painted on the body as well as on the coffin.
This rarrk is called Nganak. It is only used to signify the tracks of goanna going in and out of the Milminydjarrk and is always limited to a palette of yellow, red and white.
The roundel at the centre of the work represents Gawl (fish trap) placed by the Djankawu and blocking a creek at the site. Inside the trap are ‘Gapila’. The fish on the outside of the work are Rarrtjuk (barramundi) and Lirrmunga (Dhuwa catfish).
Story direct from the artist, Milingimbi, 2017. Cooee Gallery tracked down the artist and provenance of this work with the help of Milingimbi and Buku Larrnggay Arts Centres.
Artist Profile
COMMUNITY/REGION
Elcho Island, NT
LANGUAGE
Yolngu (Dhuwal)
BIOGRAPHY
Wilson Ganambarr Manydjarri was born in the bush at Golŋa (Rorruwuy) on Ḏäṯiwuy country in Arnhem Bay. As a child, he learned traditional skills from his father, such as making ṉuwayak (bark shelters) for protection during the wet season. He recalls building smoky fires to ward off mosquitos, known as milkmilk. From an early age, Manydjarri was capable of crafting his own garranuk (spear) for hunting animals like wallaby and emu, and fishing. He also learned to play the yiḏaki (didgeridoo) and perform manikay (song) from his father.
At around 15 years old, Manydjarri moved to Yirrkala, and after spending a few years in school, he joined his family in Maṯamaṯa, where a new homeland was being established. Later, he moved to Galiwin’ku (Elcho Island), working in various roles, including road construction, fishing, and at the first art center, where he began developing his skills as a painter and carver. In the 1980s, he returned to Rorruwuy to establish a homeland with his father, and he became involved with the Buku Larrŋgay Mulka Art Centre in Yirrkala.
Manydjarri’s art and cultural knowledge took him across Australia and internationally. He traveled to Chicago for an exhibition and participated in a significant Baṉumbirr (Morning Star) ceremony at the Maritime Museum in Sydney in 2002.
REFERENCES
Milingimbi Art and Culture. (n.d.). Wilson Ganambarr Manydjarri - Artist Profile. Retrieved September 22, 2024, from https://milingimbiart.com/project/wilson-ganambarr-manydjarri/