NGALYOD (RAINBOW SERPENT) IS THE GUARDIAN OF THE WATERHOLES
$3,500
Ngalyod (Rainbow Serpent) can be painted in many different forms.
This Western Arnhem Land depiction of Ngalyod shows him as the guardian of the waterholes.
When the Mimmih spirits are out hunting, they must ask Ngalyod’s permission to go to his waterhole for fishing or drinking. If the Mimmih’s do not ask Ngalyod’s permission, and they use his waterhole for themselves, Ngalyod is likely to get very angry.
Ngalyod has a very big tail that he can slap on the ground very hard. He will do this to show his anger. The force of his tail hitting the ground will cause an earthquake.
So, the earthquake is when the Mimmihs have upset Ngalyod by using his waterhole without his permission.
I have painted Ngalyod in x-ray to show his insides. This is Western Arnhem Land rock art style.
The fine-line cross-hatching is called rarrk. Rarrk is Kunwinjku Aboriginal ceremonial painting and adds the powerful decoration to Western Arnhem Land art. I make a traditional fine-line paintbrush from the stem of a reed.
Acrylic on canvas
70 x 110cm
Artist Statement: Leslie Nawirridj is a talented, award winning artist from Western Arnhem Land.
DOB: 1961; Language: Kunwinjku; Subject Skin: Balang; Tribal Clan: Wurrik;
Moiety: Dhuwa
AWARDS: 2023 Portrait of a Senior Territorian 1st Prize Collaborative Work
2014 Judges’ Award Darwin City Council “Harmony Day” Art Exhibition
2013 Cancer Council Art Awards 1st “Outstanding” Prize
2011 ANZ Barunga Festival Art Award 1st Prize
COLLECTIONS: National Gallery of Australia (Canberra) “Goanna (Kalawan)” 1994; paper lithograph printed in colour inks; ACCN NO. 96.871
National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne); “Ngalyod with Mimmihs”; ochres on bark
EXHIBITIONS & CLIENTS: 2023 City of Darwin Lightbox Exhibitions – Darwin Art Festival
2020 Artwork published in “Coral Reef Curiosities” by Chuck Weikert
2019 NT Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership “Local Knowledge” Exhibition
2017 Bible Society of Australia “Our Mob, God’s Story” Artwork published
2013 World Indigenous Network “Paddles Project”
2013 NTFL Wanderers Football Club “Eagle” design
2011-2020 Darwin Port Corporation design for commemorative plaques presented to Captains of cruise ships
Leslie Nawirridj is a traditional owner of Manddedjkadjang oustation on the Liverpool River, upstream from Maningrida.
Leslie’s style of painting has evolved from his Kunwinjku Aboriginal ancestors who painted onto the rocks of Western Arnhem Land.
Contact Tactile Arts on 08 8981 6616 or admin@tactilearts.org.au to purchase.
