Barramundi Dreaming 1989

In 1975, following the death of a relative, Rover Thomas experienced a sequence of dreams that revealed journeys made by the spirits of his deceased next of kin to their place of conception. Initially, Thomas instructed Paddy Jaminji, his classificatory uncle, to paint related imagery onto a series of wooden boards for use in the Gurirr-Gurirr (Kurrir-Kurrir) ceremony. It was not until 1981 that Thomas became actively involved in making the boards, which dancers hold above their heads during performances.

The Barramundi story pictured here relates to the sea; however, there is no obvious depiction of a coastline in the painting. Instead, the large, rounded abstract forms give a strong sense of the landscape transforming into a spiritually significant entity.