AM 446/02 Trevor Nganjmirra Two Kalawan or Water Goanna 2002
Ochres on Arches Paper A3 1676-02 SOLD
Various animals and plants have totemic significance to the Kunwjnjku people who live in western Arnhem Land in the 'Top End' of Australia. The artist has painted kalawan (sand monitors or goannas), reptiles that are frequent1y caught and eaten. They have white meat similar in texture to chicken. The goannas lay eggs from which their young hatch. The kalawan are painted in the classic Kunwinjku style with rarrk or cross-hatching.