Trevor Nganjmirra

The artist has painted a Billabong scene with mimi hunting Namarnkol or Barramundi. Mimis feature in many paintings by Kunwinjku people and are believed to be the original beings who taught humans how to hunt, collect food, dance and sing. Mimis still live in the rocks and caves of the stone country although they are rarely seen. In this painting Mimis are hunting Namarnkol or Barramundi, the renowned game fish of the “Top End” of Australia. They grow to extraordinary sizes and are excellent eating. The namarnkol can be found in saltwater as well as freshwater billabongs and rivers. In the background are freshwater lilies which are edible for humans and fish. The male namarnkol has its guts outlined with black. These fish have significance as food and as totems and are most easily caught after the end of the monsoon (March -April) until the humid build-up season (October). This painting was exhibited in Art Mob’s November 2002 exhibition “Gone Fishing”.