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  • Title: Kunak Djang (Fire Dreaming)
  • Artist: England Banggala (dec)
  • Region: Arnhem Land
  • Art Centre: Injalak Arts and Crafts
  • Medium: Lithograph
  • Collection:
  • Dimensions: 65 x 45 cm
  • Edition Size: 99
  • Price ($AUD): $ 440

Artwork Story

Kunak Djang (Fire Dreaming) is a dreaming which belonged to England Banggala. It relates to a site near the Cadell River in Central Arnhem Land. The content is of a secret/sacred nature. Banggala was a versatile artist, who as well as painting on bark and paper also created a number of lithographs and other prints. As printmaker Theo Tremblay said of England Banggala: “He has an innate graphic ability, a natural response and feeling for composition. A wholistic approach where the background – a song, air, earth has as much to do with the image as what flows in it.” Banggala passed away in 2001.

 

Banggala gained much inspiration from the rock art of old, often utilising the single line rarrk in his painting rather than the cross hatching style used by many artists today. 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

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