JYMAHL SAVAGE | 'Birra Birra' | Monoprint V.E. 1

"During Woeybadhaw Thonarr (mating season), when the trees and flowers are coming into bloom huge flocks of Birra Birra (Rainbow Bee eaters) travel across Zenadth Kes towards mainland Australia. When we spot them in the sky, we know that the turtles are about to mate and that eggs will soon fill their bellies. It’s also the time that we go out to harvest Azaam, a delicious reef fish. In this work I play with perspective – I have always watched the Birra Birra as they fly overhead in flocks – as I created this work, I imagined myself above them, looking at the patterns they make as they journey towards the mainland."
-Jymahl Savage

As an artist, Jymahl Savage offers his audience a view through the mask into the world that exists beneath the ocean’s surface.

A fisherman and hunter, Jymahl shares his unique insight into the rich bio-diversity of the Torres Straight in all of his artwork; mapping species, seasons and the intricate web of relationships that exist on land and in the sea.

One of Badu’s most hardworking and exciting emerging artists, Jymahl works in a range of 2D and 3D processes including lino and monoprints, wood and pearl-shell carving.

In January 2025 Jymahl was awarded Creative Australia’s Young People: First Nations Arts and Culture Project Fund to support the development of this exhibition.

Jymahl’s work has been commissioned by government and aviation and in 2024 Paspaley Pearls purchased a series of artworks for their new, high-end luxury yacht the Paspaley Pearl.

JYMAHL SAVAGE | 'Birra Birra' | 2025 | Monoprint V.E. 1 | 1205 (h) x  810 (w) mm