BETTY BUNDAMURRA - HOW THE BARRAMUNDI GOT ITS SCALES

BETTY BUNDAMURRA
HOW THE BARRAMUNDI GOT ITS SCALES,  2014
49 x 68 cm
Natural ochre and pigment on paper
 
REGION
Kalumburu, WA
 
PROVENANCE
Waringarri Aboriginal Arts 
 
STORY
A long time ago in the dreamtime this Barramundi called Yilarri had no scales and he swam past Longingi, past Marlinjarr Gorge and up a creek called Running Creek then into the Chindi River where he met a Rifle fish (Archer fish).  Wungalbarr ,the Rifle fish made friends with Yilyari the Barramundi.  He said to him "your skin looks plain" so he shot bubbles of water onto the Barramundi's skin that turned into shiny scales.  That's how the Barramundi got its scales.
 
EXHIBITED
2018 - Betty Bundamurra | Wandjina's Assistant, Cooee Art, Sydney
 
ARTIST PROFILE
BETTY BUNDAMURRA