LAURIE NONA | 'Malungu Apaz Sager Gimiya' | Linocut print

Laurie Nona, Malungu Apaz Sagerr Gimeiya, 2016, linocut print on paper, 154.3x 110.5cm (image size), edition of 12

Sageraw Thonar is the period of the travelling turtle. Female turtles return to nest while hatchings will embark on their life’s journey into the ocean. This print depicts such a journey. The title translates to ‘From below the sea the south east wind blows above’. The large turtle carries the juvenile turtles across its body. They travel across the large turtles shell and flippers, signifying the journey they make across currents in the ocean. The sea is plentiful during Sageraw Thonar represented by the abundance of sea creatures across the turtle’s shell.  Crayfish crawl along the right side of the shell. Diving sea birds are in formation in the top left flipper. Schools of baitfish swim in between two trevally on the left of the shell, which are waiting to feed on the smaller fish. A hammerhead shark is found in the bottom right flipper. Respect for these sea creatures and for the sea is paramount in our culture. Without our cultural knowledge of respect we would face great danger in our oceans. In the bottom left flipper is the Wongai fruit, which is in season during Sageraw Thonar. The rain comes and washes the detritus of the flower at this time allowing the fruit to develop. The intricate patterning contained in the shell represents weather patterns at this time of year with tidal changes and monsoons. Knowledge of the Southeasterly Season is important. Through this print, the story of the turtle, one of cultural respect, will continue to the next generation.

Please note: due to the size of this work, editions are printed on demand. Edition limited to 12 prints. Please allow time for printing, signing by the artist and dispatch to your destination. 

Kala Lagaw Ya translation: Alick Tipoti

Wowraw thonar senab thonar milagnu kedha warul matha tadimik. Ipika warul kuniya tidimin thanam padhaka a waru kazil thanamun danalayg kuyk ayman, rangadh maluka muyika. Inub zageth a mineral muynu senub gidha umayk. Inub zageth ika nel tharayzinga, Malungu Apaz Sager Gimiya. Koey warun angayk waru kazil, thana aguya balkidh tadimik. Puyenu muynu ngath palanu bubu timitim waru kazika, maluya thapimik. Wowraw thonarnu maalu koey aydalngoe, malu uruyl palayzimayl koey waru agunu muynu. Kayaral amayn idhayk agu kedha doegamnu. Boedhay doegam puyenu muynu ngagal uruyl woerathmik maluka. Boedhay doegam agunu, moegi wapil tadimik ukasar gaygayiyab dhadhiya. palay ugayk purthayka moegi wapika.

Getha doegam kunay babanu kursi palayzinga. Maluka ap asiw koey za, a matha kedha koey gimal ngoelmun kulay danalgaw pawanu muynu. Kedha aapa asi ginga, zapul gigedh ngoelmun ika malunu adhal a malunu muynu. Boedhay doegam kunay babanu muynu ubar palayzinga, kedha mayka ubaraw thonar, wowraw thonarnu.

Moegu kuth mineral muynu koey waru agunu thonar tidayk, ziyaw ruwayl, gubal a matha kedha mura malu bubul. Kayib ina kedha koedhikadhan bubu lumayk a ariw thonaral dhadhiya. Wowraw thonaraw ngulayg koey mina za. Inab zagethaiyab, waru gidha a aap asiw gidha. Poeyban muluka kaziw kazika, a bangal ngapa wagelaw thonar.

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