Bambarrarr Marrawili "Garranali" 162 x 9.5cms

Earth pigments on Stringybark hollow pole 162 x 9.5cms. This is a Maḏarrpa clan pain ng of the sacred area referred to as Garraŋali where the sacred Bäru (crocodile) nest. The Maḏarrpa people were led by Wakuthi (born c1921) who remained a powerful and influen al man although almost blind and known as “Banbay” - 'blind one' un l his death in 2005. In the se ng of this coastal outsta on, the elements of this pain ng incorporate themes of fire and water and describe the ancestral events in which Bäru, the crocodile, plays a central role. Bäru was camped at a fire when his wife Dhamiliŋu, went hun ng for Mänyduŋ (snails). Bäru was sleeping and his wife was ea ng the snails, throwing the empty shells on his head. Bäru became wild and threw his wife into the gurtha (fire).