• Mimih Spirit (66cm)
  • Mimih Spirit (66cm)
  • Mimih Spirit (66cm)

Carissa Gurwalwal

Mimih Spirit (66cm)

  

Hand carved and hand painted wood carving by Carissa Gurwalwal who works from Injalak Arts in Gumulanya, West Arnhem Land. 

  • Artist:Carissa Gurwalwal
  • Acryclic on Wood
  • 66cm
  • Cat No 623-22

According to the Kunwinjku people of West Arnhem Land, Mimih spirits were the original spirit beings, who taught Aboriginal people many of the skills they needed to survive in the bush. They also taught aspects of ceremony. Mimih spirits are believed to inhabit the rocky escarpments around Gunbalanya but because they are extremely timid, they are rarely seen by humans. They are frequently depicted in the rock art of Arnhem Land as small, dynamic figures, often shown with a range of hunting tools such as spears, spear throwers, dilly bags and fire sticks - Injalak Arts

Carissa is the daughter of renowned weaver Barbara Guwalwal. Residing in Gunbalanya, Carissa works full-time at West Arnhem Shire's Aged Care. Carissa's inspiration of her contemporary black and white motifs of Wak Wak (Black Crow) in inspired by her Aunty Rosina Gunjarwwanga. 

Injalak Arts has been a centre for art, craft and community since it’s opening in 1989. We are based in Gunbalanya, an Aboriginal community of 1200 in West Arnhem Land at the top of the Northern Territory in Australia.

In Kunwinjku, the language of our artists, Injalak means shelter. We pride ourselves on creating a safe place for culture, creativity and knowledge to bloom within the community. With over 200 active members – artists, weavers and craftspeople from Gunbalanya and surrounding homelands, our year-round production of art is inspired by connection to culture, country and 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.