Baṯtjurrun ga Ŋaw’ŋaw (Freshwater Crocodile and Water Lily);- Matthew ‘Teapot’ Djipurrtjun Ganalbiŋu;-
$1,350.00
This painting depicts the artist’s homeland, a freshwater place called Guṯitjwirrka located in the Arafura Swamp area in North East Arnhem Land. The artist’s clan, Ganalbiŋu, sing a songline in the area. While the songlines are located in freshwater places, they also sing about saltwater. All the animals and plants in the painting are included in the songline, however the snake has its own manikay (ceremonial song and dance) associated with men’s business.
In the painting you can see Baṯtjurrun (freshwater crocodile), Yaŋura (long necked turtles), Nyarkurra (freshwater castfish), Yarpi (small fish species), and Ratjuk (barramundi). You can also see Milawuy (lightning snake or water python) who eats the eggs from Nyaŋura (long necked turtle) and Gurrumattji (magpie goose). The rärrk (crosshatching) representing gapu (water), and both the leaves and roots of the Ŋaw’ŋaw (white flowering water lily, nymphoides indica) are seen throughout the painting.
Teapot learned this painting from watching his father and two mothers painting as a young boy.
These species names are mainly in the artists language Ganalbiŋu.
Story by Matthew ‘Teapot’ Djipurrtjun November 2024. Recorded by Jacinta Burukumalawuy, Michael Cooke and Hetty Watts.
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