'The Red Dragonfly'
91cm x 51cm (2020)
A story about traditional life from Nhunggal country passed down from my Grandfather, Tex Skuthorpe, a Nhunggabarra man from Nhunggal country.
The red dragonfly ceremony takes place at a lake. There are four lakes in Nhunggal country – the Narran lake, the Bulliga lake, Angledool lake and Corcoran lake.
This story took place at the Narran Lake and taught young girls how their bodies would change when they became pregnant and taught young boys about the responsibility of fatherhood.
The learning involved months of watching the red dragonfly at the lake. The red dragonfly would come in to lay its eggs, and the young people would watch as, over time, the eggs turned into little mimps.
They saw the mimps build a nest in the water and observed how they then became really hungry and would kick around the nest in anticipation of food. Anything that came into the nest it would eat. This action perfectly represents the action of a baby in the womb of a woman.
After a long period of time the little mimp climbs out of the water, up onto a reed and opens its back. And out pops a beautiful little red dragonfly. That’s how the Nhunggabarra people taught young girls and boys about birth and the responsibility that everyone has to look after and respect babies.
Traditional story 'The Red Dragonfly' copyright of Nhunggal people. No other reproduction without the correct cultural consultation.
This artwork is acrylic on canvas and is an original, authentic piece signed by Sandon Gibbs-O'Neill. The artwork will come with a Certificate of Authenticity and a representation. The artwork is framed as per images - stretched canvas around Premium Pine with a Tasmanian Oak floating frame handcrafted by Sandon. This artwork will be posted framed and ready to hang on your wall.
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