Tom Djawa
(Australia 1905–1980)
- Community
- Milingimbi, Arnhem region
- Language group
- Gupapuyngu, Arnhem region
Goanna totem
- Other titles:
- Bark painting (Goanna totem)
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
Goanna Totem. Male and Female are depicted, the females having eggs connected together. Separating line in the middle is a layer of rock. At a time of great drought the goanna people tried to find water. They dug and dug down through the rocks until finally they were stopped by the rock shown in the painting. They turned to stone and their remains can be seen in the shape of a mountain at Arnhem Bay. The mountain still looks like a goanna.
The painting is used in an increase ceremony and as a teaching aid.
[Information supplied by the Methodist Overseas Mission, Milingimbi]
© Australian Art Department, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2005
- Place of origin
-
Buckingham Bay,
Central Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory,
Australia
- Year
- collected 1959
- Media
- Bark painting
- Medium
- natural pigments on bark
- Dimensions
- 76.8 x 36.2cm
- Signature & date
- Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- Gift of Dr Stuart Scougall 1959
- Accession number
- IA45.1959
- Copyright
- © Tom Djawa/Bula'bula Arts. Licensed by Viscopy, Sydney
