• YawkYawk (183cm)
  • YawkYawk (183cm)
  • YawkYawk (183cm)
  • YawkYawk (183cm)

Ken Djungkidj

YawkYawk (183cm)

  

Hand carved and hand painted wooden YawkYawk by Ken Djungkidj who is working with Marrawuddi Arts and Culture, Kakadu. 

  • Artist: Ken Djungkidj
  • Acryclic on Wood
  • 183cm x 3cm
  • Cat No 968-20

Yawkyawk is a word in the Kunwinjku/Kunwok language of Western Arnhem Land meaning ‘young woman’ and ‘young woman spirit being’. The different groups of Kunwinjku people (one of the Eastern dialect groups call themselves Kuninjku) each have Yawkyawk mythologies, which relate to specific locations in clan estates. These mythologies are represented in bark paintings and sculptures of Yawkyawk beings.

Ken Djungkidj is the son of acclaimed artist, Mick Kubarkku (1925 – 2008), who was known for his painting of dirdbim (moon, sun and stars) and the associated site on his Kulmarru clan estate. Djungkidj learned under his guidance, watching him paint on rock surfaces and bark paintings as a young man. The artist continues to paint the iconic imagery handed down from his father, including Ngalyod (Rainbow Serpent), mimih (rock country spirit), yawkyawk (female water spirits), Kubumi (waterholes) and djulng (Ancestral bones). 

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.

Best efforts are made to get your purchase on its way within 2 business days. Postage from Darwin can be slow so please bear with us! 

All works are packed securely to protect during shipping. All items valued over $100 are insured for damage during transit. 

If you are purchasing multiple works, please email us for custom shipping rates. 

Items purchased online that are part of an exhibition will be shipped at the end of the exhibition period.