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  • Title: Yawk Yawk – Available only as a part of the Bardayal Bim folio
  • Artist: Bardayal Nadjamerrek
  • Region: Arnhem Land
  • Art Centre: Injalak Arts and Crafts
  • Medium: Etching
  • Collection: Bardayal Bim
  • Dimensions: 70 x 52.5 cm
  • Edition Size: 30
  • Price ($AUD): $ 21,500 - Bardayal Bim Folio

Artwork Story

Notes:
This print is available individually or as part of the Bardayal Bim folio of ten etchings. The price of the Bardayal Bim Folio is $21,500.

Yawk Yawk is the Kunwinjku term used for young women but also for female water spirits that have fish tails as shown in this etching. Sometimes they are described as ‘mermaids’ who live in trees and water in special places in Western Arnhem Land.

Yawk Yawk start out in a tadpole-like form, as they get older they grow fish tails and spend most of their time in the water but are able to sit on the banks of billabongs. When fully grown they are able to change their tails into legs and walk on land to forage for food. They also change into dragonflies at the end of the wet season, which signifies to the binninj (aboriginal people) the rains have finished.

Yawk Yawk are said to have namarnkol (barramundi) as pets and that Ngalyod the rainbow serpent serves as their protector. These spirits are guardians of sacred waterholes.

This plate was created by Wamud in 2006 and was printed after his passing in 2009. The print has been authenticated with the Injalak Arts & Crafts Association Inc stamp on the back bottom left corner.

© Injalak Arts

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