Burndud Ground

About the Artwork:

The Burndud is the sacred Marrga creation spirits dance ground at Birlinbirlin on the Fortescue River. It is an important story in Yindjibarndi culture which relates to Birdarra Law. Its a dance in our traditions, It’s a unique law and it belongs to the Yindjibarndi people.

About the Artist:

Alice Guinness is a Yindjibarndi woman who was born at Goodabinyia. Alice has been painting for many years at art centres across Roebourne. The majority of Alice's work focuses on two stories the Burndud/ Bundut Circle and the Bajilia (caperbush)

The Burndud/Bundut circle, an important site and story on Yindjibarndi Ngurra and in Yindjibarndi culture. The Burndut was the first law ground made by the Marrga (creation spirits) who made our language, culture and law back in Ngurra Nyujunggamu (when the world was soft) Alice paints the Burndud repetitively, using a range of striking bold colours, this symbol and her paintings have become iconic across the Pilbara.

Alice also paints The Bajila (caper bush) is a native Australian plant and can be found in the Pilbara. It is known as a good source of bush tucker, bush medicine and food for emus. Every bajila painting has its own life, each holds Alice’s deep attachment to her ngurra and the plants that give her joy. She describes the process of eating the fruits with her cousin Banyji Pansy saying that ‘when you eat the fruit, you suck the flesh and the seeds are rolled around in your mouth and then spat out. Where the seeds fall, new plants grow’.

25-19

60x75cm

acrylic on canvas