- Title: Gurrtjpi
- Artist: Marrirra Marawili
- Region: Arnhem Land
- Art Centre: Buku Larrnggay Mulka
- Medium: Etching & Screenprint
- Collection: Djalkiri Folio
- Dimensions: 50 x 62 cm
- Edition Size: 40
- Price ($AUD): $ 770.00
Artwork Story
The depicted Gurrtjpi is the stingray hunted much on the shallow shores of Blue Mud Bay. It is also a totem for the Madarrpa at Båniyala as they talk of Gurrtjpi having a path of creation at there. A few hundred yards down the beach, a small tidal creek cuts through the dunes to the flat country immediately behind. This creek named Måwangga was used by Gurritjpi to track back into the bush. Here he bit into the ground forming several small billabongs, a source of water for Yolŋu living there. His path continued along the direction that is now the Båniyala air strip to flat sandy country before heading out to the point Lulumu to become a white rock surrounded by the slow tides.
During the days of Wongu, the Djapu warrior, an area in the shape of the stingray was cleared by him and others who came to country to hunt Gurrtjpi mid way through the Dry season. The area is still clear today, his two eyes holes in the ground where the current inhabitants pick sand to throw in the direction of the rock at Lulumu for good luck and plentiful fishing. The stingray, Gurrtjpi has been depicted in these waters.
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