Dawidi Djulwarak
(Australia 1921–1970)
- Language group
- Liyagalawumirr, Arnhem region
- Title
- Wagilag sisters story - Wititj, olive python
- Other titles:
- The Python Yulunggur (Wagilag Sisters Story)
- Place of origin
-
Milingimbi →
Central Arnhem Land →
Northern Territory →
Australia
- Year
- 1959
- Media category
- Bark painting
- Materials used
- natural pigments on bark
- Dimensions
-
71.8 x 38.1cm
- Signature & date
- Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- Gift of Dr Stuart Scougall 1959
- Accession number
- IA44.1959
- Copyright
- © Dawidi Djulwarak/Bula'bula Arts. Licensed by Viscopy, Sydney
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
The painting shows the python Julunggul [sic], who appears in the sacred Wagilag Sister's Story. A simple version of the story goes like this. The Wagilag are two sisters who traveled from south Arnhem Land (the Roper River area), eventually reaching a sacred waterhole or well in which, unknown to them the python Julunggul lived. The foods which they caught and collected, when placed on a fire, jumped up and disappeared into the waterhole. When one of the sisters gave birth to a baby, Julunggul smelt the afterbirth blood. Disturbed by this and by all the creatures jumping into his waterhole, the monstrous python emerged and swallowed the two sisters and the child. According to one version of the story, this symbolized the onset of the monsoon season. Later he vomited them up.
Virtually the complete surface of the bark sheet is taken up with Julunggul, resting coiled with eggs at the bottom of the sacred waterhole.
[Information supplied by the Methodist Overseas Mission, Milingimbi with original documentation probably by Dorothy Bennett]
© Australian Art Department, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2005
- Bibliography (2)
-
'Yiribana', pg. 23-25., The Art Gallery of New South Wales Bulletin Aug 1997-Oct 1997, Aug 1997-Oct 1997, 23 (colour illus.).
Tony Tuckson (Egypt; England; Australia, b.1921, d.1973) (Author), Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, Sydney, 1960, 12, 19 (illus.), 24. cat.no. 45; plate no. 1
- Exhibition history (8)
-
Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 17 Aug 1960–18 Sep 1960.
Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, Queensland Art Gallery, Oct 1960–Oct 1960.
Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, National Gallery of Victoria [Swanston Street], Nov 1960–Dec 1960.
Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, Western Australian Art Gallery, Feb 1961–Mar 1961.
Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, National Gallery of South Australia, Apr 1961–Apr 1961.
Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, May 1961–Jun 1961.
Bulada, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 23 Aug 1997–14 Dec 1997.
ochre: bark paintings from the Collection (2000-01), Art Gallery of New South Wales, 02 Nov 2000–06 May 2001.
