- Artist: Gavin Namarnyilk
- Art Centre: Injalak Arts and Crafts
- Region: Arnhem Land
Artwork Story
Clan – Bularlhdja
Social Affiliations – Yirridjdja (moiety), Nakamarrang (subsection)
Language – Kunwinjku
Region – Kabulwarnamyo Outstation & Gunbalanya (Oenpelli), West Arnhem Land, NT
Gavin has been painting at Injalak Arts since 2006. His style is reminiscent of his grandfather, the late Bardayal ‘Lofty’ Nadjamerrek, the prominent artist of western Arnhem Land, who passed down his knowledge of land, culture and painting to his children and grandchildren. Like his grandfather, Gavin utilises the single line rarrk that has adorned the rockycaverns and galleries of the region for centuries.
Gavin is a part time ranger with the Wardekken Land Management. The Traditional Owners formed the Wardekken Land Management to assist the protection and management of their country, combining traditional ecological knowledge with western science. Today Warddeken Land Management operates out of Kabulwarnamyo and has several rangers working in its programs, including weed and feral animal control and traditional fire management. It was declared an Indigenous Protected Area in June 2009.
Subjects And Themes
The subject of his paintings are the traditional food sources, plants and animals or Western Arnhem Land, Ngurrurddu Djang (Emu Dreaming), Wakkewakken (Sugar Bag Woman), Dird (Moon Man), Dulklorrkkelorrkken (Tree Spirit), Namarrkon (lightning Man), Mimih Spirits, Nayuhyungi (the first people), Yingana (Creation Mother), Ngalyod (Rainbow Serpent), Two Brothers and Crocodile Story, Algunbirriyayimi (female water spirit).
© Injalak Arts and Crafts