76cm x 100cm Acrylic on Canvas, 2003, Stretched Ready to Hang
Artwork Description
This Dreaming comes from the Gibb River Road area where Yvonne is from and only her people have permission to tell the story or paint it.
Two little boys caught the owl – knocked it down. They pulled out his feathers and threw him in the air three times. On the third time he flew away, despite the fact he had no feathers left. He went to the Wandjina – the Rain God – and the TaTa Lizard told where the boys were. A big cloud came and a cyclone blew – the Brolga danced – the quicksand was made.
The boys tried to escape by holding on to the Kangaroo’s tail – the Kangaroo ran towards the Boab Tree, which opened up, took the boys inside then closed forever. The “other mob” depicted in the painting ran with fear into the Quicksand and perished.
The Rain God was satisfied – the owl was safe – the rainbow came out and all was well again.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Yvonne was born and still lives on a small, remote community – Ngullunda – on the Gibb River Road, c. 1957.
She has worked in Derby then returned to her Community when she married. Yvonne has five children which she is bringing up, having lost her husband. She paints for the Catholic School and teaches the children on Ngullunda (pronounced Nerdoo).
Her paintings are detailed, striking in clarity, with stories rarely depicted but extremely graphic.
