Indigenous Art by members of the Galliwinku community on Elcho Island
Indigenous Art The Elcho Collection In 1990 the Elcho Island collection was painted by members of the Galliwinku community on Elcho Island, including twenty nine surrounding outstations. Arts Coordinator DJ Brennan relocated with his family to Elcho Island, putting aside his career temporarily to assist the Yolngu people in realizing their dream of a wider audience in the public domain and understanding of an ancient people.
For the first time natural ochre acrylic paints in four base colours where used on stretched canvas, referred to by the Yolngu people as ‘white mans bark’. The community elders had been most concerned and aware that should the practice of bark painting continue no trees would be left for future generations. Prior to this and even today, these images would have been painted on the body or on bark for traditional cultural ceremonies.
The cross-hatched pattern of one fine line over another, a feature of Arnhem Land paintings is referred to as ‘rarrk’. Moiety membership, inherited patrilineally, determines an artist’s rights to use particular designs and patterns, allowing them also to assert their identity and relationships between individuals, groups, connection to the land and the Dreaming.
It is by the acquisition of knowledge, not material possessions, that one attains status in Aboriginal culture. Art is an expression of knowledge, and hence a statement of authority.’ Aboriginal Australia, Caruana. Senior Mala Leaders of Elcho Island were determined in their efforts to create something for their children to look back on with pride and to develop an educational tool for greater understanding and awareness of these ancient people.
Valley of the Giants Gallery
Contacts: Virginia, Des & Ennica Brennan
1673 Valley of the Giants Road
Bow Bridge Denamrk 6333
Phone : (+61) 08 9840 8343
Fax: (+61) 08 9840 8340
Mobile: 0411 226 766