Story Behind the Piece:
At 152 x 229 cm, this painting reflects the grandeur of Djanga, the great spirit whale, leaping through the currents of the deep ocean. Inspired by the teachings of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples of the east coast, where the sea shapes life and memory, this work represents a bridge between cultures—an exploration of the sacred in places far from the red sands of Martu Country.
Djanga’s body is adorned with flowing dots and intricate markings, embodying the songs it carries across the waters—songs of migration, kinship, and the eternal rhythm of the tides. The deep blue base evokes the mysteries of the ocean, while the bold red patterns symbolize the life force and strength shared by land and sea alike.
Though whales do not belong to the inland Martu stories, their spirit resonates in the connection between all creatures and their environments. When I lived among the Awabakal and Worimi, I was struck by their reverence for the whale as a guardian of balance and a keeper of the ocean’s wisdom. This painting reflects those teachings—a reminder that the land and sea, though worlds apart, are bound by the same threads of story and spirit.
Let Djanga inspire us to honor the connections between cultures, between land and ocean, and between the past and present. This piece celebrates the idea that, no matter how far we travel, the wisdom of the natural world speaks to all who listen.
Availability:
This artwork has been sold, but let Djanga inspire your own journey. Together, we can create a piece that tells your story or honours the spirits that guide us.
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