Dhambit Mununggurr

2019, acrylic on bark
188 x 89 cm
Cat No 1489-19

Dhambit Mununggurr
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre

This work illustrates an actual event where her father Mungurrawuy had tethered his canoe near Butjumurru (Catalina Beach) in pre-War times. Two men approached him for tobacco and he refused them. He went to his camp and was relaxing when he saw his canoe drifting out into Melville Bay. The mammoth task of building a canoe over several months and its utility as a transport and hunting platform meant that its loss would be a catastrophe. He dived into the water and attempted to swim to it. But as the wind, currents and tide swept the vessel away he found himself wearying. Closer to the canoe than land but unable to close the gap he swam on. Eventually through fatigue he was unable to swim anymore and then eventually unable to remain afloat he began to sink and swallow water. It was then that a miracle occurred and he found himself supported by dolphins who managed to carry him to the canoe. This bark documents this true incident.

The artist refers to mythical people Babayili who travel here from Saibai. "I follow the songs. They tell me a story about the water and the land."

– BUKU-LARRNGGAY MULKA CENTRE