• 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.

Here at Laundry Gallery we always endeavour to get your stunning purchases to you as quickly and safely as possible! With that in mind, please note:

1. Monday is the day we do our shipping/postage each week unless Express Shipping is requested at the time of purchase. If for some reason there is a delay and your item isn’t able to be shipped the Monday after you purchased it we will be in touch.

2. All artworks shipped from Laundry Gallery are insured and require a signature on delivery. A tracking number is be provided as part of our shipping process to the contact details you provide.

3. Whilst we use Australia Post services where possible, for large, heavy or high value artworks we use a third party courier service. We will advise you of this at the time of purchase, or get in touch as soon as possible if on reflection using a courier seems more appropriate for your artwork. Once we have organised a quote it will be the courier who gets in touch to organise delivery times closer to the date, but we are always here to support you throughout the process! 

4. If the artwork you have purchased is part of a current or future Laundry Gallery exhibition, we will need to wait until after the exhibition period has ended before we can send the artwork to you.

5. International Customers are currently unable to make a purchase online however we do ship worldwide. Please contact us for an invoice and to arrange a shipping quote.

Visiting Darwin or a local? Local pick up available during normal opening hours. 

We are a very small team and shipping from Darwin can take some time. Thanks for your patience!