Provenance
The artist, Oenpeli, Western Arhemland
Private Collection, NSW
Story
Djarrka is a freshwater goanna that can be found in small inland creeks and it feeds on small crabs and yabbies. People hunt this goanna for food and they can be very delicious to eat, like other meats you can find around and in the creek.
Djarrka is a Dhuwa water goanna and it plays a big part in some ceremonies. In nearly all Liyagawumirr Dhuwa ceremony like Djungguwan, Ngulmarrk, and Liyagalawumirr Ngarra, Djarrka is represented. In this work, Gudthaykudthay has used a strong rarrk design in the background and on the goanna bodies to show how goannas camouflage themselves against the native landscape.
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