Collection Online

The river of Marawuyu - The resting place of the snake from the Wawilak story
1985-1986

Medium
earth pigments on bark
Measurements
88.0 × 32.5 cm
Place/s of Execution
Melbourne, Victoria
Accession Number
2006.191
Department
First Nations Australia
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented through the NGV Foundation by anonymous donors, 2006
© The Artist/Licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Limited
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
About this work

Wandjuk Marika was born around 1927, the eldest son of great artist and ritual leader Mawalan. As the eldest son of the Rirratjingu clan leader, Wandjuk was given special instruction in ritual law and painting by his father. In documentation from April 2006 by Mawalan II, the artist’s eldest son, Wandjuk Marika said of this work:

Around the edges of the lagoon/river are the tracks made by the snake. The hatching immediately around the edge of the oval shape and at the top and bottom of the work is the water grass. The hatching on all extremities of the painting is the rain falling down.