Various animals and plants have cultural significance to the Kunwinjku people who live in Western Arnhem Land in the ‘Top End’ of Australia. The Burarr, or Water Goanna, inhabits the wetland areas of Western Arnhem Land that include billabongs, rivers and floodplains. The Burarr has a streamlined body and paddle-shaped tail, which differentiates it from land goannas. They are frequently hunted for their tasty white flesh, and their eggs are also sought after as an excellent food source- these are found in their dens which can be a hollow log or a dug out burrow.
The burarr has been depicted in the classic Kunwinjku ‘x-ray’ style with internal organs showing. The cross-hatching technique used for the in-fill is called rarrk.

Burarr nakka yiman kalawan nungan kadjalyo kore kukku kaboyo.Burarr karrinan kakukdayo kore kunwarde kukorlh kore manwodj kahwodjyo kundulk.Bu kannan wanjh kadjuhme kore kuronj kayo munguyh kaluk yerre karrolhme.Burarr namak mayh bu ngarringun yiman kalawan karohrok.Kunkanj dja kunbalem bu ngarringun ngadberre mayh.

Size 20 x 30 cm | Medium Paper | Catalogue # 826-22 | Year 2022

Artist  Sprotin Bangarr

Sprotin is a young man, an emerging artist and screen printer. He is employed by Injalak to print and gather, prepare natural painting materials such as stringy bark and ochres. Sprotin is also engaged in the Media Unit and takes photographs and videos for projects.

further details

Size 20 x 30 cm
Medium  Paper
Catalogue # 826-22
Year 2022