AM 409/02
Eva Nganjmirra Billabong Scene 2001
Natural ochres on Arches paper, framed 710 x 560mm, 910 x 660mm SOLD
The artist has painted a billabong scene with several edible fish found in the billabongs, water courses throughout
Arnhem Land. Namarnkol or barramundi, the renowned game fish of the ìTop Endî of Australia. They grow to
extraordinary sizes and are excellent eating. The namarnkol can be found in saltwater as well as freshwater
billabongs and rivers. These fish have significance as food and as totems and are most easily caught after the end of
the monsoon (March -April) until the humid build-up season (October). Namardakka or nail fish. Namardakka
frequent the freshwater billabongs and flood plains of the Top End. They are a supplementary food source for the
Aboriginal people. The other elements in the painting are Kurrkabul, or Longtom and Mandem and water lily.