KAKADU KANGAROO HUNT

COLORS used in this piece are all acrylic­--burnt sienna, black and raw umber.

BACKGROUND is a pure white base.

TEXTURING has many anomalies embedded in the gypsum created during application. This piece is carved on the diagonal plane and has two corners that have been completely carved, leaving a craggy appearance.

SIZE is 15”H x 15”W

CULTURAL INSPIRATION: Bark paintings from the Kakadu Tribe are mostly red, white, black and yellow. This particular one is a composite drawing, the main figure being the kangaroo. The figure to the right of the kangaroo is a man, armed with a club, who is attempting to kill it. Trailing behind the kangaroo are two upside-down male figures (that are not part of and have nothing to do with the main scene). A man holding a spear-thrower is behind them. The spear is entering the kangaroo. The woman following these figures is holding a digging stick and a dilly bag is draped behind her. Dilly bags are made from various materials including woven fiber, kangaroo skin, bulrush twin and bark. They are used to carry utensils, personal items, etc and the patterns on them can indicate various family or clan identities. Digging sticks are short wooden rods, fire-hardened at both ends. They are sharp and are used for digging tubers, knocking nuts and fruit from trees, fire making and weapons. Following the woman is a man taking chase, spear in his left hand and a spear-thrower in his right. Spearthrower or “woomera” can be either a piece of wood, bone or other material that has a hook at one end. The woomera is designed to fit into the end of a spear shaft, giving increased leverage in throwing. They are multi-functional and can be used as a container or even tapped or bounced to accompany chanting and singing.