- Title: Yingarna
- Artist: Gershom Garlngarr
- 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 only available 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.
Yingana was an ancestor spirit whose journey resulted in the creation of most of the binninj (Aboriginal or Kunwinjku people). She emerged from the Arafura Sea and journeyed inland. She wore a headband from which many dilly bags were suspended, each containing a spirit child. She met a spirit man called Wuragag, who came from the sea in the west. After they parted, Yingana left a spirit child and traveled south to Coopers Creek and then on to the Alligator Rivers.
As she traveled, she left more spirit children and instructed them to speak specific languages. She planted yams and told the spirit children they were good to eat. She also told the children of other bush foods such as water lilies and sugar bag (wild honey). The beautiful ochre depiction on the sandstone of Injalak Hill, is the only known rock art image of this important ancestor.
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