Nawurapu Wungugmurra (born 1952)

Garraparra (larrakitj), 2008

natural earth pigments on hollowed log

270.0 cm height

Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala, Northern Territory (cat. 2168M)
Private collection, Melbourne
Art Index, Sydney
Private collection, Melbourne, acquired from the above in 2013

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre which states in part:

‘This pole or Dhupun is solely decorated with the Yirritja moiety, Dhalwangu clan saltwater design which denotes Garraparra (known in English as Grindall Bay within the larger Blue Mud Bay). The sacred identity of this water derives from a tragedy in the Waŋarr (Creation time dimension) where two hunters struck a sacred rock with their harpoon. Deep knowledge belonging to the Dhalwaŋu clan was imbued in the Hunters fishing paraphernalia. This was transferred to the rock Yindiwirryunbuy Yindigurriwuy when it was hit by the driven harpoon. This ‘missed’ strike in agitated waters drowned them and gave cause for the first mortuary ritual for the Dhalwaŋu where the bones were placed for perpetuity in a hollow log back ashore. In this water Dhupundji the eel guards two submerged rocks or Madayin (sacred law). Dhupundji is a derivative of the word Dhupun the hollow log or bone coffin that is another manifestation of the Hunter’s harpoon.’