86 AM 9225/12
Roy Burnyila Gin Giny (Catfish) 2012
Acrylic on canvas 305 x 410mm $430
All Aboriginal people originate from a spiritual source, fixed in a particular place in their land or the sea. These 'Spiritual Reservoirs' are
often in the form of special waterholes made by Wangarr (Creative Beings), long ago close to the beginning of time. These creator beings
moved across the countryside, shaping the land and implanting in each tract of country the spiritual life force for the people who were to
own it. These Creative Spirits took many forms. When they gave the land to each group they also gave songs, dances, ceremony, the
associated laws and language. The Creation story for the Ganalbingu people took place near the middle section of the Glyde River where
it becomes the Goyder River. Their land, Ngaliyindi, sits astride the Arafura Swamp in Central Arnhem Land. In this painting the artist
has depicted freshwater totems from the Swamp. These include catfish(gin giny), and bubbles in the water.