Marrawuddi - Johnan Dooley, Wak Wak (Crow) (Acrylic on Bark) 23 x 9cm

Artist - Johnan Dooley

Catalogue #1041-22
Size 23 x 9cm 

Wak is the language word for black crow in many Kakadu and West Arnhem language groups. It is also the name for a significant and sacred djang (dreaming) site in West Arnhem Land at a place called Kurruldul, specific to bininj (aboriginal people) of the Kurulk clan. Often when artists depict this djang, the rarrk (crosshatching) painted is representing ‘Djimarr’, the black crow that resides at Kurruldul. It is said that the ‘Djimarr’ took the form of a rock formation that now sits at the bottom of Kurrurldul creek. This design is sometimes used in sacred ceremonial practices in Arnhem Land, which is painted onto bodies, representing ‘Djimarr'

Artist bio:

Johnan is a young arst who has only started to paint in 2008. He works under the tutelage of the more senior painters at Manaburduma and is developing his own finely worked style. He shows attention to detail and thoughtfulness about his subject