Bird Dreaming Paintings

Birds feature in many Aboriginal artworks and sculptures. They represent birds from all parts of Australia, from the desert, from rivers and coastline and from urban areas.

 

Owl Turutjikini by Romolo Tipiloura

Romolo Tipiloura  |  Owl Turutjikini

Jap 013182  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 34 cm

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Birds and Fish by Jimmy Wululu

Jimmy Wululu  |  Birds and Fish

Jap 012148  |  lithograph  |  51 x 38 cm

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Flying Over by Fiona Omeenyo

Fiona Omeenyo  |  Flying Over

Jap 012435  |  acrylic on canvas  |  110 x 86 cm

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Small Lake near Tiich by Rebecca Wolmby

Rebecca Wolmby  |  Small Lake near Tiich

Jap 007041  |  acrylic on canvas  |  144 x 59 cm

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Three Birds by Peggy Jones

Peggy Jones  |  Three Birds

Jap 007170  |  acrylic on canvas  |  71 x 60 cm

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Owl Turutjikini by Romolo Tipiloura

Romolo Tipiloura  |  Owl Turutjikini

Jap 013183  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 32 cm

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Brolga Dance by Kirsty Burgu

Kirsty Burgu  |  Brolga Dance

Jap 007477  |  ochre on canvas  |  140 x 70 cm

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Tjulpu – Bird by Kumana Goodwin

Kumana Goodwin  |  Tjulpu – Bird

Jap 009193  |  Western Myall & Salmon gum

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Water Birds – Freshwater Billabong by Edward Blitner

Edward Blitner  |  Water Birds – Freshwater Billabong

Jap 015327  |  acrylic on canvas  |  136 x 99 cm

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Brolgas with Yingana and Ngalyod, Rainbow Serpents by Edward Blitner

Edward Blitner  |  Brolgas with Yingana and Ngalyod, Rainbow Serpents

Jap 014385  |  acrylic on canvas  |  150 x 90 cm

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Magpie Geese and Brolgas by Edward Blitner

Edward Blitner  |  Magpie Geese and Brolgas

Jap 015328  |  acrylic on canvas  |  97 x 95 cm

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Waterbird, Fish, Stingray by Simon Lobo Badari

Simon Lobo Badari  |  Waterbird, Fish, Stingray

Jap 010639  |  ochre on paper  |  153 x 102 cm

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Brolgas and Rainbow Serpent by Edward Blitner

Edward Blitner  |  Brolgas and Rainbow Serpent

Jap 014301  |  acrylic on canvas  |  208 x 150 cm

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Owl by Romolo Tipiloura

Romolo Tipiloura  |  Owl

Jap 010537  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 43 cm

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Water Bird by John Tipungwuti

John Tipungwuti  |  Water Bird

Jap 010556  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 70 cm

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Bird and Snake by Billy Namundja

Billy Namundja  |  Bird and Snake

Jap 010649  |  ochre on paper  |  29 x 21 cm

Unavailable

Coast at Limmen Bight by Maureen Thompson

Maureen Thompson  |  Coast at Limmen Bight

Jap 010516  |  acrylic on linen  |  120 x 120 cm

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Magpie Geese and Brolgas by Edward Blitner

Edward Blitner  |  Magpie Geese and Brolgas

Jap 015329  |  acrylic on canvas  |  97 x 96 cm

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Cockatoo by Thomas Munkanome

Thomas Munkanome  |  Cockatoo

Jap 010550  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 68 cm

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Ngatijirri Budgerigar Dreaming by Karen Napaljarri Barnes

Karen Napaljarri Barnes  |  Ngatijirri Budgerigar Dreaming

Jap 013363  |  acrylic on linen  |  107 x 46 cm

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Ngatijirri Budgerigar Dreaming by Karen Napaljarri Barnes

Karen Napaljarri Barnes  |  Ngatijirri Budgerigar Dreaming

Jap 013361  |  acrylic on linen  |  107 x 46 cm

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Box with carved birds by Timor Carving

Timor Carving  |  Box with carved birds

Jap 009872  |  local wood  |  length 27 cm

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Happy Camp by the Spring Creek by Mary McLean

Mary McLean  |  Happy Camp by the Spring Creek

Jap 008781  |  acrylic on canvas  |  90 x 60 cm

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Tiwi Masked Owl by Romolo Tipiloura

Romolo Tipiloura  |  Tiwi Masked Owl

Jap 010558  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 54 cm

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Crocodile Dreaming by Edward Blitner

Edward Blitner  |  Crocodile Dreaming

Jap 014373  |  acrylic on canvas  |  184 x 100 cm

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Dumbi and Ungudd by Donny Woolagoodja

Donny Woolagoodja  |  Dumbi and Ungudd

Jap 017576  |  limited edition woodblock print  |  36 x 76 cm

Unavailable

The Owl by Jane Mervin

Jane Mervin  |  The Owl

Jap 007843  |  acrylic on canvas  |  30 x 30 cm

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Sea Eagle by Bede Tungatalum

Bede Tungatalum  |  Sea Eagle

Jap 010545  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 38 cm

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Magpie Geese and Brolga by Edward Blitner

Edward Blitner  |  Magpie Geese and Brolga

Jap 015330  |  acrylic on canvas  |  97 x 96 cm

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Water Bird by Michael Munkara

Michael Munkara  |  Water Bird

Jap 010559  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 77 cm

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Dumbi Mama – Sacred Owl by Cecilia Umbagai

Cecilia Umbagai  |  Dumbi Mama – Sacred Owl

Jap 017569  |  limited edition woodblock print  |  37 x 76 cm

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Owl by Romolo Tipiloura

Romolo Tipiloura  |  Owl

Jap 010538  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 48 cm

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Pirnini Country by Jimmy Pike

Jimmy Pike  |  Pirnini Country

Jap 008220  |  limited edition silkscreen  |  32 x 31 cm

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Diving Duck – Gurrupudu by George Milpurrurru

George Milpurrurru   |  Diving Duck – Gurrupudu

Jap 007132  |  Silk Screenprint  |  79 x 56 cm

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Magpie Geese – Swamp Dreaming by Roy Burrunyula

Roy Burrunyula  |  Magpie Geese – Swamp Dreaming

Jap 008197  |  limited edition silkscreen  |  62 x 43 cm

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Cockatoo by Thomas Munkanome

Thomas Munkanome  |  Cockatoo

Jap 012929  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 74 cm

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Travelling On by Fiona Omeenyo

Fiona Omeenyo  |  Travelling On

Jap 013695  |  acrylic on canvas  |  120 x 87 cm

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Bu Ka Palgie – Shell & Bird by Dennis Nona

Dennis Nona  |  Bu Ka Palgie – Shell & Bird

Jap 008896  |  limited edition etching  |  30 x 60 cm

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Bark Painting by Anarargayara

Anarargayara  |  Bark Painting

Jap 023194  |  ochre pigments on bark  |  65 x 30 x 7 cm

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Owl Turutjikini by Romolo Tipiloura

Romolo Tipiloura  |  Owl Turutjikini

Jap 012925  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 36 cm

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Two Parrots by Turbo Brown

Turbo Brown  |  Two Parrots

Jap 011394  |  acrylic on board, framed  |  61 x 46 cm

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Owl by Immaculata Tippiloura

Immaculata Tippiloura  |  Owl

Jap 023283  |  ochre on Ironwood  |  39 x 10 cm

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Black Cockatoos by Turbo Brown

Turbo Brown  |  Black Cockatoos

Jap 011395  |  acrylic on board, framed  |  61 x 46 cm

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Diving Duck by Andrew Margalulu

Andrew Margalulu  |  Diving Duck

Jap 008205  |  limited edition lino print  |  38 x 30 cm

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Owl Turutjikini by Romolo Tipiloura

Romolo Tipiloura  |  Owl Turutjikini

Jap 012920  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 48 cm

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Magpies by Turbo Brown

Turbo Brown  |  Magpies

Jap 011396  |  acrylic on linen  |  116 x 62 cm

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Brolgas by Edward Blitner

Edward Blitner  |  Brolgas

Jap 014230  |  acrylic on canvas  |  96 x 62 cm

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Kirrkirr  –  Chicken Hawk by Jimmy Pike

Jimmy Pike  |  Kirrkirr – Chicken Hawk

Jap 018800  |  limited edition screenprint  |  31 x 40 cm

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Cockatoo by Thomas Munkanome

Thomas Munkanome  |  Cockatoo

Jap 010549  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 63 cm

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Hawk by Turbo Brown

Turbo Brown  |  Hawk

Jap 011397  |  acrylic on linen  |  99 x 75 cm

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Owl by Romolo Tipiloura

Romolo Tipiloura  |  Owl

Jap 010540  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 34 cm

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Waterbird & Nest by Roy Yilidjirri

Roy Yilidjirri  |  Waterbird & Nest

Jap 010637  |  ochre on bark  |  76 x 46 cm

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Kingfisher by Turbo Brown

Turbo Brown  |  Kingfisher

Jap 012447  |  acrylic on linen  |  155 x 108 cm

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Kulama – White Cockatoo by Roslyn Orsto

Roslyn Orsto  |  Kulama – White Cockatoo

Jap 012926  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 74 cm

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Sea Eagles by Turbo Brown

Turbo Brown  |  Sea Eagles

Jap 012532  |  acrylic on linen  |  121 x 91 cm

Unavailable

Wayin by Yanjalka 2 Menja Mununjgurr

Yanjalka 2 Menja Mununjgurr  |  Wayin

Jap 015703  |  Carving  |  height 37 cm

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Murriyil by Naminapu Maymuru White

Naminapu Maymuru White  |  Murriyil

Jap 015706  |  Carving  |  44 x 9 cm

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Water Bird by Mario Munkara

Mario Munkara  |  Water Bird

Jap 010552  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 72 cm

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Wayin ga Mokuy by Napurrawuy 2 Wununjmurra Djapana

Napurrawuy 2 Wununjmurra Djapana  |  Wayin ga Mokuy

Jap 015707  |  Carving  |  height 59 cm

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Two Parrots by Turbo Brown

Turbo Brown  |  Two Parrots

Jap 012219  |  acrylic on linen  |  122 x 92 cm

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Brolgas with Yingana and Ngalyod, Rainbow Serpents by Edward Blitner

Edward Blitner  |  Brolgas with Yingana and Ngalyod, Rainbow Serpents

Jap 014371  |  acrylic on canvas  |  184 x 100 cm

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Jinang from the mainland – Mildjingi by Mick Magani

Mick Magani  |  Jinang from the mainland – Mildjingi

Jap 005900  |  bark  |  64 x 25 cm

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Owl by Romolo Tipiloura

Romolo Tipiloura  |  Owl

Jap 010539  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 39 cm

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Windmill Number 4 by Gladys Anderson

Gladys Anderson  |  Windmill Number 4

Jap 019364  |  acrylic on canvas  |  30 x 30 cm

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Cockatoo by Thomas Munkanome

Thomas Munkanome  |  Cockatoo

Jap 012930  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 73 cm

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Alawa Story by Willie Gudapi

Willie Gudapi  |  Alawa Story

Jap 012132  |  acrylic on canvas  |  128 x 84 cm

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Red Tail Cockatoos by Turbo Brown

Turbo Brown  |  Red Tail Cockatoos

Jap 012153  |  acrylic on linen  |  139 x 80 cm

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Water Bird by John Tipungwuti

John Tipungwuti  |  Water Bird

Jap 010557  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 73 cm

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Galahs on Fence Line by Turbo Brown

Turbo Brown  |  Galahs on Fence Line

Jap 012458  |  acrylic on linen  |  139 x 79 cm

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Bush Turkey Benuk by Graham Badari

Graham Badari  |  Bush Turkey Benuk

Jap 012490  |  limited edition silkscreen  |  17 x 23 cm

Unavailable

Kookaburra by Turbo Brown

Turbo Brown  |  Kookaburra

Jap 012460  |  acrylic on linen  |  120 x 91 cm

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Magpie Geese by Edward Blitner

Edward Blitner  |  Magpie Geese

Jap 015331  |  acrylic on canvas  |  97 x 96 cm

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Tokapuwi – Bird by Mario Munkara

Mario Munkara  |  Tokapuwi – Bird

Jap 012946  |  carved wood & ochre  |  height 80 cm

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Galahs by Turbo Brown

Turbo Brown  |  Galahs

Jap 011393  |  acrylic on board, framed  |  61 x 46 cm

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Wayin ga Mokuy by Warrinybal Yunupinju Jack

Warrinybal Yunupinju Jack  |  Wayin ga Mokuy

Jap 015708  |  Carving  |  67 x 12 cm

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Totemic Bird by Timor Carving

Timor Carving  |  Totemic Bird

Jap 009876  |  local wood  |  length 17 cm

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Birds feature in many Aboriginal artworks and sculptures. They represent birds from all parts of Australia, from the desert, from rivers and coastline and from urban areas. Unlike many other animals, birds are not generally part of the bush food resource sought by Aboriginal people. There are exceptions like magpie geese, bush turkey and emu which are highly prized for their meat. Eggs are valued and are collected from nests of larger birds.

In the inland regions parrots and cockatoos, budgerigars, hawks, eagles and kingfishers are all found in large numbers. Many of these birds are part of the Dreamtime Creation stories of the region and become part of the totemic system that links certain animal species to Indigenous people.

In the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin bird carvings are part of the ceremonial life on the islands. Birds are viewed as messengers or bringers of knowledge from the spirit world to the human world. These bird carvings include owls, sea hawks, pelicans, brolgas, cranes and many other forms of waterbirds. The carvings were often part of Pukumani ceremonial poles which were used on the Islands as part of funeral rituals to honour the dead.

In the Kimberley region the owl is seen as part of the totemic spirits that created the people and the lands. The owl appears in connection with Wandjina spirits that rejuvenate the country each year with the seasonal monsoons. On Cape York artists depict birds as the spirits of their people being freed from the earth. Urban Aboriginal artists have shown birdlife including magpies and kookaburras. Birds remain part of the Aboriginal worldview for both their physical and spiritual associations.

More animal art:

Artists who paint Bird: