19 DN078
Dennis Nona Guthath Au Dhangala - Dugong Dust On Reef
Etching 900mm x 690mm SOLD
This print describes a traditional method of hunting Dugong in the Western Torres Strait islands.

At the bottom of the image three hunters float in their canoe (Gul), looking out for Dugong. The man on the left
is an experienced hunter and he is showing the young men how to hunt. A Dugong good luck charm floats next
to the canoe to attract the sea animals when they get closer. The dugong are far away and out of sight, but the
men can see layers of dust in the water marking their trail. These trails can only be seen when there is a strong
current (kulis), and in the image they are the pale blue strips of sea. They are engraved with pearl and turtle shell
designs.

Once a trail becomes visible, the men float closer in their canoe, to the point where the Dugong are feeding on
the reef. The old man tells the boys they can attract dugong by throwing out a sucker fish on twine, which is
lying at the bottom of the canoe.

The print also reminds me of the changing colour of the sea. I have used an Aquatint to create the contrasts in
the sea’s colour. When the water is light blue you can see everything.