This piece is available framed ($Neg)

4 DN125
Dennis Nona Gatau Ural - Magpie Geese
Etching Paper: 1100mm x 800mm SOLD
Gauatau Ural (Magpie Geese) migrate each year from Papua New Guinea to the artist’s island of Badu. When the
islanders see the birds arriving they know the monsoon season is approaching. These geese migrate mainly to
the Western Torres Strait islands because of the swampy habitat that is not present on the Central or Western
Islands.

The birds feed on yabbies and the seed pods (Guhal Naral) of the rushes that grow in the swamps, both of
which are depicted in the print. The geese are hunted as they are considered a delicacy.

The beauty of the large numbers of birds seen circling at this time of the year has impressed itself on the artist
who has attempted to capture this vision in the print.

An earlier etching by the artist titled, Myrta was based on another plant also used by the islanders as a
mosquito medicine.

This is a traditional remedy and is still in use today.