48. Snake on a Log
“My cousin brother used to make bird’s, Roy’s dad used to make the Jabiru bird. Then Harold got the idea of doing birds. Birds plays an important role in Tiwi ceremony... Harold has to look at the tree first to see if it’s strong enough [for carving], you can tell when that stringy bark peels off, then you can see if it’s right to cut it and do carving.”
– Irene Henry
- Acrylic on ironwood (Erythrophleum chlorostachys)
- Height:21cm
- Cat No 361-23
This piece was carved by Harold Goodman and painted by Irene Henry, finalists in the 2022 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA). Irene and Harold are partners and live at the Kakadu Outstation of Kapalga. Irene’s family are from Tiwi islands, which are represented through her artistic narrative of painting.
“My cousin brother used to make bird’s, Roy’s dad used to make the Jabiru bird. Then Harold got the idea of doing birds. Birds plays an important role in
Tiwi ceremony... Harold has to look at the tree first to see if it’s strong enough [for carving], you can tell when that stringy bark peels off, then you can see
if it’s right to cut it and do carving.”
– Irene Henry
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.