Yawk Yawk by Ivan Namarnyilk

Ivan has been painting since the 1990s and is establishing himself as an artist of note. He almost always paints in the natural ochres that he collects and grinds himself. The colours are outstanding. 

Yawk Yawk in Kunwok/Kunwinjku languages means a young woman, and also refers to the mermaid-like spirits that live in the deep water holes. When no one is looking they can transform their tails into legs so they can climb out of the water and forage for food. By the end of the Bangkerreng season, as the wet season ends, the Yawk Yawks metamorphose into dragonflies, which tells the dry season is starting.