Marrnyula Munungurr

The cross-hatching grid pattern is the sacred design for the freshwaters of the Djapu clan at their homeland Wandawuy, now an outstation about 150 kilometres south of Yirrkala and inland from Blue Mud Bay.

This Djapu clan outstation (and spiritual residence for Ancestral Beings Mäna the Shark and Bol'nu the Thunderman) is surrounded by permanent freshwater.

Rains inspired by the actions of Bol'nu feed the rivers and fill the billabongs. Catfish and mussels, freshwater crayfish and others feed the Yolnu and wild life. The waters are home for the shark, Mäna.

The grid refers to the landscape of Wandawuy - a network of billabongs surrounded by ridges and high banks. Its structure also references woven fish traps.

The artist is playing with the sacred design to create a completely new pattern suggested by the swirling combinations of different elements of this water.

Source:  Buku Larrngay Mulka