DADUBE HUNTING ANTEATER

COLORS used in this artwork are blends of raw sienna and browns.

TEXTURING is very soft and minimal, mostly appearing on the wall surrounding the picture. Image is deeply carved into gypsum.

SIZE 20”H x 13”W

CULTURAL INSPIRATION: “Dadube”, a spirit being, is hunting a spiny anteater. Anteaters are also referred to as echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). They are a prized bush food of the Aborignal people. The escarpments in western Arnhem Land are a preferred home for these egg-laying mammals. After hatching, this unusual mammal suckles his mother’s milk like a kitten. Strong spines that are intermixed with fur cover its body. This modified X-ray style bark painting is from the Gunwinggu clan, who is also referred to as Gunwinjgu. This group, whose land extends into the plateau, resides along the northern escarpment in Arnhem Land.