Baidam-Shark constellation
2006
Medium
linocut
Measurements
94.8 × 242.0 cm (image)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented by Woolloongabba Art Gallery, 2007
© Dennis Nona. Courtesy of The Aboriginal Art Network.
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
The artist explains:
This constellation consists of seven stars, which the Aboriginal people call The Seven Sisters. My people call it ‘The Shark Constellation’. The stars were used for navigation. They also provide knowledge about the seasons and for gardening fruit and vegetables. In about July–August the shark constellation will level itself across the horizon of New Guinea … Around this time we begin planting vegetables and fruit: cassava, dawai (banana), guru (sugar cane), taro/urrgubau (sweet potato) … when it becomes calm in the Torres Strait, around this time, a grease forms on the surface of the sea … it is also shark mating season: a dangerous time in the sea.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Cairns, Queensland
Edition
artist's proof
Accession Number
2007.421
Department
First Nations Australia
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation