Garraparra (01.010)
2001
Garraparra is a peninsula within the artist's Blue Mud Bay homeland. At the center of this log is a sacred submerged rock called Galkama. It originated in freshwater before it passed through sea country and rested in the deep waters of the horizon. While the sea above it is full of choppy white caps, Galkama embodies an undisturbed site of profound, intrinsic knowledge. Garun, the loggerhead turtle, swims up from its depths carrying the signs of the rock on the surface of its shell.
The Wunumurra family has many ceremonial responsibilities that require movement across the homeland centers of northeast Arnhemland. Nawurapu follows in the footsteps of his father who was the first Aboriginal artist to have his copyright recognized in an Australian court.
Earth pigments on hollow log
Gift of Margaret Levi and Robert Kaplan, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum
2005.151
Provenance: [Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Arts Centre, Yirrkala, Australia]; Margaret Levi and Robert Kaplan, Seattle, Washington, 2001
Photo by Paul Macapia