Mowanjum Artists Recent Works

online exhibition

6 November – 21 December 2020

 

Djalala and Wandjinas by Petrina Bedford

Petrina Bedford  |  Djalala and Wandjinas

Jap 017564  |  acrylic on canvas  |  130 x 50 cm

Sold

Djalala – Boundary Stones by Edna Dale

Edna Dale  |  Djalala – Boundary Stones

Jap 017565  |  limited edition silkscreen  |  42 x 57 cm

Sold

Armalarr by Edna Dale

Edna Dale  |  Armalarr

Jap 017566  |  limited edition silkscreen  |  42 x 57 cm

Sold

Djalala and Wandjinas by Edna Dale

Edna Dale  |  Djalala and Wandjinas

Jap 017567  |  acrylic on canvas  |  45 x 92 cm

Unavailable

Pandanus by Leah Umbagai

Leah Umbagai  |  Pandanus

Jap 017571  |  ochre on canvas  |  60 x 80 cm

Unavailable

Wandjina and Gyorn Gyorn by Leah Umbagai

Leah Umbagai  |  Wandjina and Gyorn Gyorn

Jap 017573  |  ochre on canvas  |  50 x 97 cm

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Gyorn Gyorn by Leah Umbagai

Leah Umbagai  |  Gyorn Gyorn

Jap 017572  |  ochre on canvas  |  50 x 95 cm

Unavailable

Wandjina the Rainmaker by Donny Woolagoodja

Donny Woolagoodja  |  Wandjina the Rainmaker

Jap 017575  |  limited edition woodblock print  |  36 x 76 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

Namarali by Donny Woolagoodja

Donny Woolagoodja  |  Namarali

Jap 017577  |  limited edition woodblock print  |  36 x 76 cm

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Jarlarloyni by Donny Woolagoodja

Donny Woolagoodja  |  Jarlarloyni

Jap 017578  |  limited edition woodblock print  |  36 x 76 cm

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Wandjina and Dumbi by Cecilia Umbagai

Cecilia Umbagai  |  Wandjina and Dumbi

Jap 017570  |  acrylic on canvas  |  60 x 60 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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Jilinya – First Bush Woman by Kirsty Burgu

Kirsty Burgu   |  Jilinya – First Bush Woman

Jap 017574  |  limited edition silkscreen  |  50 x 70 cm

Unavailable

Gulawana Wandjina by Edna Dale

Edna Dale  |  Gulawana Wandjina

Jap 017568  |  acrylic on canvas  |  45 x 92 cm

Unavailable

Djalala and Wandjinas by Petrina Bedford

Petrina Bedford  |  Djalala and Wandjinas

Jap 017563  |  acrylic on canvas  |  60 x 60 cm

Sold

Mowanjum artists represent the cultures of Worrorra, Wunumbul and Ngarinyin language groups of the West Kimberley. Their stories have been written on the caves and rock ledges across their Country, recording the Creation sites and stories of Wandjina and Gyorn Gyorn spirits. Artists from the Mowanjum community on the Gibb River Road near Derby continue the tradition. Their paintings in ochre and limited edition prints tell the family stories of the Wandjina tradition and other cultural aspects of life in the region.

The Wandjinas brought law, culture and language to the people. The first Wandjina was Idjair, who lives in the Milky Way and is the father of all Wandjinas. His son Wallungunder created the Earth and all life upon it. After that he created the first human beings, the Gyorn Gyorn people. Wallungunder then brought back more Wandjinas to give the Gyorn Gyorn people laws to live by.

The three Wandjinas which represent the three language groups of Mowanjum are Namarali for the Worrorra people, Wodjin or Wanalirri for the Ngarinyin people, and Rimijmarra for the Wunambul people. The Wandjinas are most active as cloud spirits during the monsoon period, bringing rain to the entire Kimberley region.

Jack Dale (1920– 2013) elder and artist, described the Wandjinas in this way: “They are my proof of ownership of this land, just like the words written on a Title to Land. My title to land comes from the Narrungunni, the Dreaming, and Whitefellas get theirs from the government. In my way of thinking the Blackfellas law is older and more true.” Artworks in this exhibition include Jack Dale’s daughter Edna Dale and grandaughter Petrina Bedford. Other contributing artists include Donny Woolagoodja, Leah Umbagai, Kirsty Burgu and Cecilia Umbagai.

Read more:

Wandjina Art