- Title: Dancing Mimi Figures
- Artist: Wilfred Nawirridj
- 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 only as part of the Injalak Hill Suite of 12 prints. The folio price is $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 etching depicts the graceful yet fragile mimi spirits. Mimis are the original spirit beings. According to the Kunwinjku people of western Arnhem Land they existed before humans and subsequently taught Aboriginal people everything they needed to know. Mimis taught ceremonies, dance, song, hunting and all bush skills. The spirits continue to live in rocks, trees and cave but are rarely seen by humans. These three dancing female spirits appear on the sandstone rock face of Injalak Hill, depicted, as Wilfred has recaptured them here, in red monochrome that may date back as much as 20,000 years.
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