Peter Datjin Burarrwanga (born 1953)

PAYBACK, 2002

synthetic polymer paint and natural earth pigments on Arches paper

153.0 x 103.0 cm
160.0 x 111.0 cm (frame)

bears inscription verso: artist’s name, title and Elcho Islands Arts cat. 12/7070/DAT

Elcho Island Arts, Galwinku, Northern Territory
Palya Art, Darwin (cat. C-0750)
Private collection, Melbourne

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Elcho Island Arts, Galiwinku, which states in part:

‘This is a sacred story that has been passed down from Yolngu (Aboriginal/People from North­ east Arnhem land) ancestors, telling of Payback Law. The painting depicts the saltwater crocodile (Baru). Baru is a ‘High Power” animal totem belonging to the Gumatj clan, and by yolngu law they must protect it.

The only exception made for a Gumatj clan member to actually kill Baru is for a Payback Mission. It can be then eaten to gain the strength and power of the crocodile/Baru and passed onto the clan member in dispute.

The story involves the crocodile and the stingray (marandjalk). The crocodile killing one of the family members of the stingray shown, forcing the stingray to sting and kill the crocodile, or one of its family, as a Payback to their loss of their own family member. Payback and punishments play a large part in Yolngu culture and are still being practiced to this day at Galiwinku, Elcho Island.’