Worrwurr - Dhuḏuthuḏu (Judy, carving)

natural earth pigments on wood

25.7.5 x 7 cm

Enquire for price

Artwork story: Manany (Judy) Gurruwiwi moved to Elcho Island from Yirrkala in 1981. She is a creative and cultural cornerstone of the Elcho Arts Art Centre. Manany regularly travels back to Yirrkala to visit family and participate in ceremony and also creates work for Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre. She has become well known for her beautiful woven animals and intricately decorated carvings, especially her Worrwurr (owls) and Dhuḏuthuḏu (Frogmouth). Her work has been exhibited extensively in Australia and Internationally and has been acquired by the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra ACT. The Worrwurr belongs to the Yirritja moiety and is an important totem. This beautiful work was carved from native hibiscus (milkwood) and intricately painted with locally sourced earth pigments. Dhuḏuthuḏu is the name for the frogmouth which is Dhuwa. Datiwuy and Ngaymil sing this bird Dhuḏuthuḏu (Frogmouth) (Podargus strigoides) together and it joins their two clans. They also connect to Gälpu and Djambarrpuyngu through this law. Its country is near Yangunbi and is known as Warrathiri or Munumbal. Elders have said that it is not deep law but just something that they sing and dance. This piece is made from renewable wood which is usually harvested from the tree in the dry season. The first activity is to enter the monsoon vine thicket and cut the wood and carry it back to the vehicle. Often a long hike through prickly vines and scrub. the wood is skinned and left to dry for a short period. It is then shaped by knife or axe. After the surface is sanded smooth a layer of red paint is usually the first to go down. The paints used are earth pigments. The red (Meku), yellow (Gaŋgul) and black (Gurrŋan) are provided by rubbing rocks of these colours against a grinding stone and then adding water and PVA glue in small quantities. A new batch of paint is prepared or renewed every few minutes as it dries or is used up. After an outline of the composition is laid down the painting commenced. The last layer to be applied is almost always the white clay (Gapan) which is made from kaolin harvested from special sites. This also has water and glue added after being crushed into a fine powder. An alternative to painting the cross-hatching is to use a razor to incise fine lines and reveal the light-coloured wood underneath.

Stockroom

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Manany Gurruwiwi

b. 1962

Region: Arnhem Land
Community: Galiwin'ku (Elcho Island)
Language group: Yolŋu (Yolngu) – Gälpu (Galpu) clan

Worrwurr - Dhuḏuthuḏu (Judy, carving)

natural earth pigments on wood

25.7.5 x 7 cm

Enquire for price

Artwork story: Manany (Judy) Gurruwiwi moved to Elcho Island from Yirrkala in 1981. She is a creative and cultural cornerstone of the Elcho Arts Art Centre. Manany regularly travels back to Yirrkala to visit family and participate in ceremony and also creates work for Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre. She has become well known for her beautiful woven animals and intricately decorated carvings, especially her Worrwurr (owls) and Dhuḏuthuḏu (Frogmouth). Her work has been exhibited extensively in Australia and Internationally and has been acquired by the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra ACT. The Worrwurr belongs to the Yirritja moiety and is an important totem. This beautiful work was carved from native hibiscus (milkwood) and intricately painted with locally sourced earth pigments. Dhuḏuthuḏu is the name for the frogmouth which is Dhuwa. Datiwuy and Ngaymil sing this bird Dhuḏuthuḏu (Frogmouth) (Podargus strigoides) together and it joins their two clans. They also connect to Gälpu and Djambarrpuyngu through this law. Its country is near Yangunbi and is known as Warrathiri or Munumbal. Elders have said that it is not deep law but just something that they sing and dance. This piece is made from renewable wood which is usually harvested from the tree in the dry season. The first activity is to enter the monsoon vine thicket and cut the wood and carry it back to the vehicle. Often a long hike through prickly vines and scrub. the wood is skinned and left to dry for a short period. It is then shaped by knife or axe. After the surface is sanded smooth a layer of red paint is usually the first to go down. The paints used are earth pigments. The red (Meku), yellow (Gaŋgul) and black (Gurrŋan) are provided by rubbing rocks of these colours against a grinding stone and then adding water and PVA glue in small quantities. A new batch of paint is prepared or renewed every few minutes as it dries or is used up. After an outline of the composition is laid down the painting commenced. The last layer to be applied is almost always the white clay (Gapan) which is made from kaolin harvested from special sites. This also has water and glue added after being crushed into a fine powder. An alternative to painting the cross-hatching is to use a razor to incise fine lines and reveal the light-coloured wood underneath.