Marrangu, 2009, Garawan Wanambi
Natural ochres and pigment on hollow stringy bark log, 215cm
Provenance: Niagara Galleries, Melbourne.
Exhibited: Niagara Galleries, Melbourne 2011. The Ian Potter Museum of Art, Melbourne 2013.
A member of the boundary pushing artistic community at Gangan, Garawan Wanambi is a Marrakulu clansman. His works investigate the Yolŋu concept of Buwayak ‒ simultaneously making elements both visible and invisible. Wanambi style is recognised for his exacting geometric layers which create a deep optical effect on a seemingly flat surface. Wanambi was guided by Yanggariny Wunungmurra and through this connection paints Marrangu the counterpart of Marrakulu from the other side of Arnhem Bay (1).
From the authenticity certificate: This painted surface depicts country close to Raymangirr, on the coast of Arnhem Bay. It is a sacred and restricted area where freshwater is known to spring to the surface of the beach at the low tide region.
The Lorrkon or bone pole coffin ceremony was the final ceremony in a sequence of mortuary rituals celebrated by the people of Arnhem Land. This ceremony involves the placing of the deceased’s bones into a hollow log, which is decorated with painted clan designs and ceremonially placed into the ground where it remained until it slowly decay over many years. The log is made from a termite hollowed stringybark tree (Eucalyptus tetradonta) and is decorated with totemic emblems.