• 11. Maganese Coconut Cracker
  • 11. Maganese Coconut Cracker

Elvis Bara

11. Maganese Coconut Cracker

  

“A long time ago, Angurugu people were using manganese for the bark, with red ochre, yellow and white clay. But Umbakumba people, you know them little batteries? The thin ones from a torch? They used to use those for black. When the missionaries came, they started using the batteries because black was a long way from Umbakumba. You could get it at Marble Point but it was a long walk. But before they got batteries, they walked. I learned to use manganese from my other dad. He was a painter. But I also saw him using batteries. Sometimes it was too hard to find manganese, so he was using the battery.” Elvis Bara

    • Manganese, medium, earth pigments and fixative on wood
    • Dimensions: 59 x 9 x 2 cm
    • Cat No. EB04-0006

Elvis Bara, a respected senior artist, assumes multiple roles as an Arts and Cultural Officer, songman, and singer. Growing up in Umbakumba, Elvis now resides between Milyakburra (Bickerton Island) and Bartulumba Outstation. Elvis' artistic practice encompasses painting, carving and printmaking. As a senior male artist, Elvis holds great significance in leading ceremonies across the Groote archipelago and Numbulwar on the mainland. Elvis's artworks beautifully depict his Bara songlines and totems, with the stories of the dugong and West Wind holding a special place in his heart. As an Arts and Cultural officer with Anindilyakwa Arts, Elvis dedicates himself to the important task of teaching these crafts to others, particularly the younger men. Elvis and his partner Stephanie Durilla, an accomplished senior artist is her own right, often collaborate creatively on artworks, pioneering new styles. Most recently they have developed a unique form of sand painting. Using a manganese base, reminiscent of traditional Groote Eylandt barks, Elvis and Stephanie create intricate, graphic patterns using coloured sand collected from a special site near the mangroves at Bartalumba Outstation.


Anindilyakwa Arts is a thriving hub of creativity located on the Groote Eylandt Archipelago in the Gulf of Carpentaria in the Northern Territory. Warnumamalya artists are engaged across the Archipelago, with art centres in Umbakumba, Angurugu and Milyukbura. Diverse art programs focus on traditional and contemporary art practices, as well as, community engagement programs. Artists practices span across weaving, fibre art, carving, printmaking, fashion design and painting. Anindilyakwa Arts is part of the Anindilyakwa Land Council and is as an integral part of the Preserving Culture Department, supporting the economic, cultural and social outcomes of the Warnumamalya people.


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.