We see lots of karnamarr (red-tailed black cockatoos, Calyptorhynchus banksii) in woodlands when we burn country. We see them wandering around on the ground eating the charcoal, or sitting in trees. Especially in Kurrung, the dry season, we see lots of karnamarr. If we look to the east, we can see a rock that looks like it has been painted with red ochre. It’s called Karnamarrkoyyiwakeng (The Black Cockatoo Walked?), and merges with the country Kunnanj. It belonged to a man called Karnawulu of the Murruwan clan, of Nangarridj skin. From there on the country is Kunnanj proper.

Karnamarr karrinan nawern kore manberrk bu karriwurlhke kunak, Karrinan kawakerren kurorre kunbule kabulengun, yika kaddum kabarndi kore kundulk. Bu Kurrung karrimirndenan nawernken nawu karnamarr. Bu karribolknan kore Koyek karriwardenan yiman kunrodjbe birriwardebaruy, bukka wanjh kabolkngeyo Karnamarrkoyyiwakeng ngalengarre Kunnanj kabolkraworren. Bukka wanjh kubolkmurruwan Nangarridj (Balang) Namurruwan ngeyyoy Karnawulu nuye kunred. Kumekke kabalre djarreh Kunnanj kunred duninjh Mamulu.

Size 41 x 61 cm | Medium Paper | Catalogue # 925-23 | Year 2023

Artist  Graham Badari

Graham Badari’s country is Maburrinj, in the rocky escarpment country about 120 kilometres east of Gunbalanya. He draws artistic inspiration from this environment and also paints the Dreamings of his Mother Country, Djurlka, where he spent time as a young man near the outstation of Marmardawerre. He was raised by the renowned artist Djawida Nadjongorle, but like many of the artists at Gunbalanya credits the late Thompson Yulidjirri as his greatest artistic influence. From these senior men, Badari learnt the fluid and dynamic figurative style that defines Kunwinjku painting at Injalak Arts. He began painting sporadically around 1990, but has since become part of a group of dedicated and innovative artists at Gunbalanya. His paintings show the influence of the visual language of their rock-art heritage, while remaining committed to artistic innovation. It is this beguiling balance of tensions, innovation and tradition, ancient and modern, beauty and terror, that energises Badari’s paintings.

further details

Size 41 x 61 cm
Medium  Paper
Catalogue # 925-23
Year 2023