Lot 79

Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, Northern Territory (accompanied by a copy of the certificate of authenticity)
Private collection, Melbourne

"Hunting is still very much a life style for the Yolnu living on their homelands. For those at Djarrakpi the hunting for turtle provides a robust source of food. During the right season when the winds have died, calm waters prevail and the turtle surfacing to breathe can be easily spotted from great distances by the trained eyes of the hunter. The chase is then on often taking the hunting party far off the coast.

As were their ancestors, the present day hunters took homage and direction from the Wawpini, the great cumulo clouds that rose on the horizons. These clouds also connected the clans estates on land to those over sea country, connected by the sacred string and harpoon from the first hunters. On looking back from out to sea the hunters will see the same cloud formations over their country at Djarrakpi.

This painting depicts the sacred Wawpini either end of the bark, one out to the furthest extent of Mangalili country, the other over Djarrakpi."

As stated on the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre certificate of authenticity.