Collection Online

Fishing story from the Djambarrpuyngu mortuary rites
1968

Medium
earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus sp.)
Measurements
97.7 × 46.7 cm
Place/s of Execution
Milingimbi, Northern Territory
Accession Number
O.40-1990
Department
First Nations Australia
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased through The Art Foundation of Victoria with the assistance of the Utah Foundation, Fellow, 1990
© Manuwa/Licensed by Copyright Agency, Australia
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation
Gallery location
Gallery 2
Ground Level, NGV Australia
Physical description
The artist depicts a story associated with Djambarrpuyngu mortuary rites and the journey of the soul of the dead to its spiritual resting place. Men are looking for fish in a river off the south end of Elcho Island. The wet season rains come in and the current sweeps men and fish out to the sea. Thus the soul of the dead returns to its destination, borne on the swollen floodwaters of wet season rivers. As it is carried along in the water, it has to avoid being speared as a fish, eaten by a bird or caught in a trap.