Mulka (NSW parry shield)

Andrew Snelgar is widely recognised for his intricate, sculpted, and carved wooden objects. Mulka (NSW parry shield) 2021 references the historical, thin, elongated parrying shields connected to the south-east of Australia that are often cloaked in an array of designs. These iconic designs empower the shield bearer by representing country and identifying both regional and clan affiliations. Shields used in performance would often be painted with natural pigments, remnants of which can still be seen on many today.

Snelgar refers quite directly to this history and his cultural inheritance as a Ngempa man, creating refined shields that evidence ongoing cultural practices and highlight the cultural resurgence currently occurring. Snelgar has provided the language name and details for the story that is attached to the design on this work as mumbun gati-mayi pullakarr-mayi (the story of two men who fought at a site of significance to him).