We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Kun-madj

2004

Artist

John Mawurndjul

Australia

1952 –

Language group: Kuninjku, Arnhem region

Artist profile

  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    Maningrida → Central Arnhem Land → Northern Territory → Australia
    Date
    2004
    Media category
    Print
    Materials used
    etching, 'Maningrida brown' ink on white BFK Rives Moulin du Gué wove paper
    Edition
    6/20
    Dimensions
    24.9 x 19.7 cm platemark; 50.2 x 32.9 cm sheet (irreg.)
    Signature & date

    Signed l.r. beneath platemark, pencil "JOHNNY". Not dated.

    Credit
    Mollie Gowing Acquisition fund for Contemporary Aboriginal art 2005
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    4.2005.6
    Copyright
    © John Mawurndjul, Maningrida Arts and Culture/Copyright Agency

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    Artist information
    John Mawurndjul

    Artist profile

    Works in the collection

    26

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  • About

    This is an image of kun-madj, a small woven collecting basket, very finely made. These bags are often made from Pandanus spiralis, a plant which grows in many areas of Arnhem Land. The bags are used to collect sugarbag, the native honey.

    As well as being of practical use, dilly bags are also of religious significance to Arnhem Land people. Dilly bags are said to be totemic objects and associated with particular sites in the landscape. For example in the Kurulk clan country there is one kun-madj site close to Milmilngkan.

    © Maningrida Arts & Culture 2004

  • Places

    Where the work was made

    Maningrida

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 1 exhibition

Other works by John Mawurndjul

See all 26 works