Mr W Wanambi
‘Water: Cycles’
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.
![Wukun Wanambi / Marrakulu, Dhurili people / Australia b.1962 / Three Larrakitj installed for 'Water' at GOMA An installation view of Three Larrakitj (wooden pole coffins) installed for 'Water' at GOMA, with Biospheres in the background.](/system/files/styles/wide/private/2023-04/GOMA_Water_installationview_20191213_nharth_082.jpg?itok=lz7ixARY)
Mr W Wanambi / Marrakulu, Dhurili people / Australia 1962–2022 / Larrakitj 2017, Larrakitj 2017 and Wawurritjpal (Larrakitj) 2017 installed for ‘Water’ at GOMA, with works by Tomás Saraceno and Laurence Aberhart in the background, December 2019 / Wood with natural pigments / Dimensions vary / Purchased 2017 with funds from Pamela, Michael and Jane Barnett through the Queensland Art Gallery l Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: QAGOMA / © Mr W Wanambi, courtesy of Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala / Photograph: Natasha Harth, QAGOMA
![Mr. W. Wanambi, courtesy of Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala Artwork Wawurritjpal (Larrakitj) this artwork made of Wood with natural pigments, created in 2017-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.392.001-003_001_13.jpg?itok=vtzmEg4k)
Wawurritjpal (Larrakitj) 2017
- WANAMBI, Mr. W. - Creator
![© Mr. W. Wanambi, courtesy of Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala Artwork Larrakitj this artwork made of Wood with white clay pigment, created in 2017-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.392.001-003_001_13.jpg?itok=vtzmEg4k)
Larrakitj 2017
- WANAMBI, Mr. W. - Creator
![Mr. W. Wanambi, courtesy of Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala Artwork Larrakitj this artwork made of Wood with white clay pigment, created in 2017-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.392.001-003_001_15.jpg?itok=9QsM7qWA)
Larrakitj 2017
- WANAMBI, Mr. W. - Creator