At Trial Bay in the Northern Territory the waters teem with sea mullet, or wawurritjpal. These little fish rush to the top of the water and often leap above the waves. Mr W Wanambi covers the surface of one hollow log, or memorial pole known as larrakitj, in a dense pattern of interlocking fish. He captures the dynamic energy of the mullet, painting them as if they are swimming along the timber grooves.
This trio of larrakitj represent three significant granite rocks at the mouth of Trial Bay. Wawurritjpal (Larrakitj) refers to Bamurrungu, the sacred rock which is believed to have a hollow centre. Here, ocean water washes in, churns and froths to create sea foam. Wanambi explains:
In Yolngu understanding the life of the spirit is a circle. The larrakitj is a circle . . . These fish of the species are the ancestors of the land. They come to the rock and their path is blocked. They can jump into the air. They land back into the water. Their spiritual pathway continues. It is a cycle.