Namarrkon (Lightning Man)
Namarrkon is the Lightning Man, the source of the fierce tropical storms in Western Arnhem Land during the big wet.
In the wet season Namarrkon lives among the storm clouds, sitting down and watching the people below. This is the time he is angry and creates flashes of lightning, loud thunder and then torrential rain.
From late October Namarrkon’s thunder signals bush tucker is ready to harvest. This is the start of the ‘build-up’ season before the proper rains come. Namarrkon’s presence gets stronger through the wet season. In January and February Namarrkon strikes trees and splits them with lightening. Namarrkon’s presence and hence the monsoon season subsides in early March.
- Ochre and Acrylic on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 21 x 9cm (unframed)
- Cat No. 2232-23
Ray Mudjandi, from Mirarr and Western Arrernte clans is an aspiring young artist living in Djibbiyak in the heart of Kakadu National Park.
Mudjandi was born in Darwin and grew up between Djibbiyak and Katherine. As a young child he experienced and overcame several serious health conditions, experiences that have influenced his creative practice. The young Mudjandi was very imaginative and spent much of his time drawing. Like most young people he enjoyed video games, Marvel comics, and watching cartoons and superhero movies, but also loved watching family members and senior artists painting. When he was in Katherine, he spent a lot of time with western Arnhem Land artist John Lemibanda.
Today Mudjandi continues to create artworks at Marrawuddi Art & Culture in Jabiru. He is constantly creating new superhero characters with intricate narratives, often in response to his surroundings, and issues that may affect him and his community. Mudjandi’s work is a perfect balance between contemporary and traditional art, he works with his elders who teach him old traditional ways, whilst putting his urban spin on traditional styles. The contrast and synergy between contemporary Pop culture and Bininj culture is at the heart of Mudjandi’s work. The same contrasts are at play between the naive and profound.
"My grandpa taught me how to do my artwork, we did painting with Manyilk. I like to paint and draw, mostly superheroes, Spiderman is my favourite" - Ray Mudjandi 2018
Marrawuddi Arts and Culture is a beautiful Community Arts Centre located in the repurposed Jabiru Bakery in the heart of the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park. The stunningly renovated building, which welcomes dozens of visitors daily, features a vibrant working space for artists use as well as a beautiful exhibition area and delicious coffee. Tourists are encouraged to spend time with artists and learn about the beautiful artworks available for purchase.
The quality of artworks for sale at Marrawuddi is exceptional and all stock is created by artists living in or around the Kakadu and wider West Arnhem region. The strength of the ancient, evolving and continuing Kakadu and West Arnhem culture is clear at Marrawuddi. Staff support artists through regular bush trips collecting traditional materials as well as through workshops for new skill development such as screen-printing.
Marrawuddi is seen by many as a flagship signalling Jabiru’s positive future as the town undergoes its Mirarr-led transition from mining town to regional service hub and tourism centre. Marrawuddi is owned and governed by Mirarr Traditional Owners through their organisation Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation and all proceeds from Marrawuddi are used in Gundjeihmi’s community work.
Laundry Gallery is currently closed for the holidays. All online orders will be processed and shipped after 25 January, 2025. Local pick up may be available earlier, please contact us to request.
We pack all artworks securely to protect during shipping. Items valued over $100 are insured for damage during transit. Artworks less then one metre are generally sent insured via Australia Post, unless they are particularly fragile. Artworks longer than one metre are sent via Pack n Send.