- Title: Lambalk – Sugar Glider
- Artist: Gavin Namarnyilk
- Region: Arnhem Land
- Art Centre: Injalak Arts and Crafts
- Medium: Ochre and acrylic on Arches paper
- Collection:
- Dimensions: 41 x 61 cm
- Edition Size: Unique
- Price ($AUD): $ 550
Artwork Story
Arnhem Land is home to an amazingly diverse range of fauna. Depicted in this painting is one of the more unusual animals that live in the Arnhem Land, Sugar Gliders, (Lambalk), Petaurus breviceps. They are nocturnal and frequent the woodland regions. Lambalk are not a food source for the people because of the lack of meat. In this painting the artists has shown the Lambalk in fine single, parallel rarrk (marks) detail according to his style.
This painting by Gavin Namarnyilk is part of an exhibition that explores the links between Indigenous cultural heritage, environment and aesthetic traditions of artists from the Stone Country of western Arnhem Land through food and plants (manme) and animals (mayh).
Gavin Namarnyilk is one of a small and unique group of artists who are actively maintaining the distinctive practise associated with the traditions of rock art painting in western Arnhem Land and the knowledge it purveys.
The Stone Country of western Arnhem Land also known as the plateau country adjoins Kakadu National Park. The rocky outcrops of the escarpment dominate the landscape while adjacent flood plains, permanent rivers and billabongs are abundant with life of countless species of animals and plants.
Manme Mayh: Gardens of the Stone Country II focuses on the native plants and animals integral to the culture and traditions of the Kunwinjku speaking people and the spirit figures associated with them. The exhibition highlights cultural associations the Kunwinjku people have with species that include the emu, fruit bats, the kangaroo, black wallaroo, Oenpelli python, water lilies, crocodiles, turtles, fishes, yams, and other plants that provide both food and tools.