Djapu (Fish trap at Wandawuy)
2019
- Medium
- earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus sp.)
- Measurements
- (1-11) 228.2 × 482.8 cm (variable) (installation)
- Place/s of Execution
- Yirrkala, Northern Territory
- Inscription
- (1) printed (vertically) in ink and inscribed in fibre-tipped pen on paper label on reverse u.l.: ● BUKU-LARRAŊGAY MULKA ● / (two figures) (in a circle) / YIRRKALA N.T. (all in a circle) Artists Noŋgirrŋa / Description / CatNo 3649-19 Price
inscribed (vertically) in fibre-tipped pen on reverse c.l.: 3649–19
(2) printed (vertically) in ink and inscribed in fibre-tipped pen on paper label on reverse u.r.: ● BUKU-LARRAŊGAY MULKA ● / (two figures) (in a circle) / YIRRKALA N.T. (all in a circle) Artists NOŊGIRRŊA / Description / CatNo 3477-19 Price
inscribed (vertically) in fibre-tipped pen on reverse c.r.: 3477–19
(3) printed (vertically) in ink and inscribed in fibre-tipped pen on paper label on reverse l.l..: ● BUKU-LARRAŊGAY MULKA ● / (two figures) (in a circle) / YIRRKALA N.T. (all in a circle) Artists Noŋgirrŋa / Description / CatNo 3788-19 Price
(4) inscribed (vertically) in fibre-tipped pen on reverse c.l.:3230–19
printed (vertically) in ink and inscribed in fibre-tipped pen on paper label on reverse c.r.: ● BUKU-LARRAŊGAY MULKA ● / (two figures) (in a circle) / YIRRKALA N.T. (all in a circle) Artists Noŋgirrŋa / Description / CatNo 3230-19 Price
(5) printed (vertically) in ink and inscribed in fibre-tipped pen on paper label on reverse c.l..: ● BUKU-LARRAŊGAY MULKA ● / (two figures) (in a circle) / YIRRKALA N.T. (all in a circle) Artists Noŋgirrŋa / Description / CatNo 3273-19 Price
inscribed (vertically) in fibre-tipped pen on reverse c.l.: 3273–19
(6) inscribed (vertically) in fibre-tipped pen on reverse u.l.: 3478–19
printed (vertically) in ink and inscribed in fibre-tipped pen on paper label on reverse u.r.: ● BUKU-LARRAŊGAY MULKA ● / (two figures) (in a circle) / YIRRKALA N.T. (all in a circle) Artists NOŊGIRRŊA / Description / CatNo 3478-19 Price
(7) inscribed (vertically) in fibre-tipped pen on reverse u.c.l.: 3315–19
printed (vertically) in ink and inscribed in fibre-tipped pen on paper label on reverse l.c.l.: ● BUKU-LARRAŊGAY MULKA ● / (two figures) (in a circle) / YIRRKALA N.T. (all in a circle) Artists NOŊGIRRŊA / Description / CatNo (…illeg.) (crossed out) / 3315-19 Price
(8) printed (vertically) in ink and inscribed in fibre-tipped pen on paper label on reverse l.l.: ● BUKU-LARRAŊGAY MULKA ● / (two figures) (in a circle) / YIRRKALA N.T. (all in a circle) Artists Noŋgirrŋa / Description / CatNo 3744-19 Price
(9) printed (vertically) in ink and inscribed in fibre-tipped pen on paper label on reverse u.r.: ● BUKU-LARRAŊGAY MULKA ● / (two figures) (in a circle) / YIRRKALA N.T. (all in a circle) Artists Noŋgirrŋa / Description / Djapu / CatNo 4452-19 Price
inscribed (vertically) in fibre-tipped pen on reverse u.c. r.: 4(…illeg.)52–19
(10) printed (inverted) in ink and inscribed in fibre-tipped pen on paper label on reverse u.c.: ● BUKU-LARRAŊGAY MULKA ● / (two figures) (in a circle) / YIRRKALA N.T. (all in a circle) Artists Noŋgirrŋa / Description / CatNo 4379-19 Price
inscribed (inverted) in fibre-tipped pen on reverse c.: 4379–19
(11) inscribed (inverted) in fibre-tipped pen on reverse l.c.: 3275–19
printed (vertically) in ink and inscribed in fibre-tipped pen on paper label on reverse l.r.: ● BUKU-LARRAŊGAY MULKA ● / (two figures) (in a circle) / YIRRKALA N.T. (all in a circle) Artists NOŊGIRRŊA / Description / CatNo 3275-19 Price - Accession Number
- 2021.788
- Department
- First Nations Australia
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, NGV Foundation, NGV Supporters of Indigenous Art and funds donated by Anchor Ceramics, Barbara Hay and the Hay Family, 2021
© the artist, courtesy of Buku Larrnggay Mulka - Gallery location
- Gallery 2
Ground Level, NGV Australia - About this work
-
Born on the beach at Darrpirra, north of Cape Shield, in 1939, Ms N. Marawili developed a distinct and prolific creative style throughout her lifetime utilising painting, carving and prints. In this work, she depicts Wandawuy, the Djapu ancestral homeland of her late husband, Djutadjuta. Marawili captures its spiritual essence, inhabited by the Mäṉa (shark), and Bolngu (the Thunderman). The use of grids symbolises Wandawuy’s landscape, with billabongs, ridges and woven fish traps reflecting the intertwined sacredness of fresh water and Djapu identity. This relationship originates from Wandawuy, now an outstation near Yirrkala. Through her practice, Marawili preserves and shares the cultural significance of Djapu heritage.
