Cockatoo in Paperbark Tree

Maker Charlie Bangadi Matjuwi

Date1993

Object number00027411

NameBark painting

MediumBark, acrylic paint

Dimensions1615 x 490 x 35 mm, 2.9 kg
Display Dimensions: 1620 x 380 mm, 4 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection

Terms

DescriptionA painting on bark by Charlie Bangadi Matjuwi / Charlie Burarrwanga Matjuwi titled 'Cockatoo in Paperbark Tree'. This work is decorated with design's belonging to Charlie Bangadi Matjuwi who is an artist from Galiwin’ku (Elcho Island), Northern Territory. Charlie Matjuwi is the clan leader and elder for the Gumatj (Burarrwanga) clan HistoryCharlie Bangadi Matjuwi has painted designs that are particularly important to him. His grandfather was a Makassan perahu captain and the designs are similar to those seen on the batik worn by Makassan traders at the turn of the century. These designs are now used in rituals as body designs. This work is divided into two sections. The top half consists of symbols used as a postmortuary ceremony for both men and women. The Sulphur Crested Cockatoo with his woeful cry depicts grief and joins the morning women during their weeping. The two stick-like shapes either side of the paper bark tree are Bidik. These are carvings of yams which are given to the children or relatives of the deceased after the funeral ceremony and are kept for generations. The bottom half of the painting shows two pelicans facing each other and holding a fresh water fish between their beaks. The fish is painted black to represent the soul of the deceased. The fish painted black represents the soul of the deceased. The soul is carried to the land the dead by the two pelicans. This part of the sacred mortuary ceremony is secret and takes place with senior lawmen and male elders only. Women are not allowed to participate. SignificanceMatjuwi has strong links with the ocean as his grandmother Gananu was married to a Macassan Prausea Captain.