Yawkyawk
2007
Medium
natural dyes on pandanus (Pandanus sp.) and bamboo
Measurements
264.7 × 122.0 × 6.0 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Mark Chapman, 2008
© Anniebell Marngamarrnga, couresty of Maningrida Arts and Crafts
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
This woven figure represents a yawkyawk or young female spirit. Yawkyawks are usually represented with a fish tail and long hair, which is associated with trailing blooms of green algae. They are sometimes compared with the European notion of mermaids, because these spiritual beings live in the cool freshwater streams and rock pools in the western Arnhem land plateau known as the Stone Country. This yawkyawk carries two babies beautifully woven into her swollen abdomen. Their pale, open-mouthed faces contrast with the swirling optical rows of pink, yellow and orange bands of woven rarrk, like crosshatching in a bark painting.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Maningrida, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
Accession Number
2008.276
Department
First Nations Australia
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation