Wyarra spirit
2005
- Medium
- earth pigments on Paperbark (Melaleuca sp.) and pandanus (Pandanus sp.), feathers, glass
- Measurements
- 223.0 × 45.5 × 13.0 cm
- Place/s of Execution
- Buluhkarduru, Northern Territory
- Accession Number
- 2005.460
- Department
- First Nations Australia
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by Peter and Angie Zangmeister, 2005
© Lena Yarinkura/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
- Not on display
- About this work
-
This flattened sculpture with elaborate body ornamentation is made from paperbark, pandanus and feathers. It represents an enigmatic wyarra spirit, which lives in the bush and moves around at night, when it can be heard but not seen by Rembarrnga people. The artist states, ‘Only witch doctors can see wyarra spirits at night. Wyarra can follow, visit and interact with people. They can be friendly and look after you if you’re lost in the bush, or cheeky and play tricks on you. There are Dreaming sites for wyarra spirits and if you move rocks on these sites, wyarra will magically appear from nowhere.’