Biḏ’yunawuy miṉḏirr (painted conical basket)

Helen Ganalmirriwuy Garrawurra was inspired to make 'Biḏi’yunawuy miṉḏirr (painted conical basket)' following visits to the Museum der Kulturen Basel and Musée d'ethnographie de Genève in Switzerland in 2018 where she studied historical bathi or baskets. The work also acknowledges 'Liyagalawumirr bathi (basket)' c1950s (accession number IA143.1962) belonging to her märi (grandmother’s clan) and held in the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
The painting on 'Biḏi’yunawuy miṉḏirr (painted conical basket)' represents the relationship between the Birritjama and Gamaḻaŋga clans, which are both Dhuwa, and their shared connection to riny’tjaŋu (wild carrot). Ganalmirriwuy’s märi or mother’s mother is Birritjama (Ḻiyagalawumirr) and this means she is märi-waṯaŋu for this clan. As a märi-waṯaŋu Ganalmirriwuy has rights and responsibilities regarding the songs, designs and rituals associated with the Birritjama and she is able to use this distinct design within her work. Ganalmirriwuy and her sister, Margaret Rarru Garrawurra, have explained that while the Gamaḻaŋga and Birritjama share the story and designs connected to the riny’tjaŋu (wild carrot) their manikay or sacred songline has a different ḻiya (tune).
This text draws heavily on the artwork certificate provided by Milingimbi Art and Culture which was written by Salome Harris based on information provided by Helen Galamirriwuy Garrawurra and Margaret Rarru Garrawurra.