'How the sky was built' 129cm x 60cm
A traditional story from Nhunggal country passed down by my Grandfather, Tex Skuthorpe, a Nhunggabarra man from Nhunggal country.
A long time ago in the Burruguu (Creation) when there were only animals on the earth and all the animals were building the sky. They had succeeded in building most of it but there was one last piece that was missing and needed to be placed at the very top of the sky in the centre.
One by one, each of the animals attempted to place this last piece. Starting with the great climbers – the Sand Goanna, the Koala, and the Possum – they climbed up but when the sky started to curve, they all fell down. A little lizard kept pestering them to have a go but they told him to go away because he was too small.
Then the birds attempted – the Eagle, the Hawk, the Galah – they flew up to the top of the sky but it was too much of a long way and the piece started to become too heavy for them so they dropped it before being able to put it in place. The little lizard kept asking if he could have a go but they told him to go away because he was too young. Even the snakes had a go but they were not able to climb all the way to the top of the sky.
The little lizard kept pestering and eventually they laughingly told him he could finally have a go. The little lizard took the last piece in his mouth and because he was so, light and small he managed to climb all the way to the top of the sky and successfully placed the last piece in the sky.
He is now called ‘boomayahmayahmul’ to show respect to his feat.
This artwork is acrylic on canvas and is an original, authentic piece signed by Sandon Gibbs-O'Neill. Prints will not be made of this artwork. It is 129cm x 60cm. The artwork will come with a Certificate of Authenticity and a representation. The artwork is framed as per images - stretched canvas around Premium Pine and is posted framed and ready to hang on your wall.
Free postage within Australia. Postage outside of Australia is available, please email for further details.