Click to enlargeb. 1961
- Region
- Kimberley
- Community
- Mowanjum
- Language group
- Worrorra (Worora)
Rimmijbudda (cloud and rain spirit), 2022
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
60 x 60 cm
$3,000
- Provenance
- Mowanjum Aboriginal Art & Culture Centre, Derby, WA, Cat No. 22-0158 Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Mowanjum Aboriginal Art & Culture Centre
- Artwork story
- Rimijbudda is a powerful Wandjina from the Wanumbul country. Gordon Barunga says: "He's from my mother-s side - Wanumbul, Hunter River, on the sea side from Kalumburu. He's a thief, steals shells and any sorts of things. Rimij means 'robs'." Rimijbudda's exploits as a thief are part of his identity: he used to take from the other Wandjinas when they were hunting or fishing. He would then run away with their wives. Jugalimurra (another Wanumbul Wandjina) works for Rimijmurra by the sea. As in nearly all depictions of Wandjinas, Jagullimarra and Rimijmurra lack mouths. Pudja (Gordon's mother) explained that when the Wandjinas send rain, they make the sound of thunder through their nostrils, but they lack mouths so that it won't rain too hard.