Fish and dillybags
1985
Medium
earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus sp.)
Measurements
133.5 × 53.7 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented through the NGV Foundation by Shell Australia Limited, Honorary Life Benefactor, 2002
© Jack Kalakala/Licensed by Copyright Agency, Australia
Gallery location
Gallery 2
Ground Level, NGV Australia
About this work
The brother of Les Mirrikkurriya, Jack Kalakala also illustrates the ceremonial significance of fibre practice. The artist depicts three saratoga fish and two rows of woven dilly bags with feather strings attached, indicating the association of these objects with ceremony. They appear to float against a delicate and intricate rarrk ground. The ceremonial dilly bags are patterned with rarrk that is at a different angle from the crosshatching in the background, creating an interesting frisson characteristic of the artist’s work.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Ankabarrbirri, Northern Territory
Accession Number
2002.242
Department
First Nations Australia
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation