- Title: Namarrkon – Sold
- Artist: Wesley Nganjmirra
- Region: Arnhem Land
- Art Centre: Injalak Arts and Crafts
- Medium: Etching
- Collection: Kunwarrde Bim – Injalak Hill Suite
- Dimensions: 19 x 14 cm
- Edition Size: 40
- Price ($AUD): $ 2,800, available as part of the Injalak Hill Suite
Artwork Story
This print is available individually, or as part of the Injalak Hill Suite set of 12 prints $2,800
Kunwarrde Bim (Stone Country Painting) is a collection of etchings by nine artists from Injalak Arts and Crafts in Western Arnhem Land. The x-ray images are based on ancient rock art at Injalak Hill, which overlooks the community of Oenpelli.
This image hovers on a vast rock face, otherwise devoid of imagery. Nearby, the under face of a low shelter is illustrated with the ghostly white image of Namarrkon, the Lightning Spirit. It is said that back in the days when binning (Aboriginal people from the region) took shelter in the caves of Injalak Hill there was a little boy who would not stop crying. His parents and family could not persuade him to be quiet. He leapt out from the cave where his family were taking shelter from the rain and sprang from rock to rock. Namarrkon the lightning spirit could hear him crying and was angry at the noise. He took a stone axe and threw it at the child, killing him. It is this child’s image that remains on the rock face, a warning to other children who are unwilling to obey their parents.
These prints and the process undertaken demonstrate a tangible link between Binninj (Aboriginal people of the region) their land, art and culture. Unbroken links survive over the millennia, between an ancient life and the contemporary setting which continues to inform its people. Perhaps the final word should go to Gabriel Maralngurra, “we want to help balanda (white people) to understand, that rock art is part of our culture, then and now”.
© Injalak Arts and Crafts 2006