New generation
2021
- Medium
- earth pigments and recycled print toner on Stringybark (Eucalyptus sp.)
- Measurements
- 169.0 × 75.0 cm
- Place/s of Execution
- Yirrkala, Northern Territory
- Accession Number
- 2021.780
- Department
- First Nations Australia
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by Barbara Hay and the Hay Family, 2021
© The Artist, Buku Larrŋgay Mulka, NT and Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne - Gallery location
- Not on display
- About this work
-
Using a combination of natural earth pigments and reclaimed toner ink (ground polyester) from discarded printer cartridges, in this work Djerrkŋu recalls a mermaid dream that her father had while her mother was pregnant with her. The painting tells the story of the artist’s conception as a spiritual mermaid. Stories about mermaids appear in myths around the world, but the Yolŋu mermaid, which appears in both freshwater and saltwater, is lesser known.