BUNDA ART | 'Tree Totem Collection: Grevillea Glauca' | Sculpture

Bunda comes from the Idinji word meaning "putting things together to make something. The family connection between Roy Gray (Gimuy Walaburra Yidinji Elder)  and Jo-Ann Beikoff "Milba", spans 50 years, and through their multi-generational family friendship, are creating their own contemporary take on traditional art forms that have impacted Roy during his lifetime. Roy gave the name Milba to Jo-Ann Beikoff. Milba means Clever. Through their artistic partnership and reconciliation, Roy's childhood stories and history are brought to life through Milba's artistic interpretation and presentation.

Tree Totem Collection: 

 “These are strong memories of the early days of my learning to be a Hunter Gatherer and living off the foods our lands provided.” 

Yidinji word for Grevillea Glauca is Jiri

"The Jiri tree was also called Cobblers Peg, I was told that the early white settlers used the wood from the Jiri tree to make clothes pegs.

That differed my cultural use of Jiri which was as a deadly fishing spear.  A Jiri spear is lightweight, and if you missed hitting the fish the spear float son the surface and is easily retrieved for the next throw.

I remember walking along the beach with my prized Jiri spearing mullet and smaller fish that came closer to the shore.   As I got older I learnt to hunt for bigger fish, and became quite skilled at hitting these targets.   The next dinner in those days depended on my hunting skills, so I had to learn quickly how to do this or starve." - Roy Gray

BUNDA ART | 'Tree Totem Collection: Grevillea Glauca' | Sculpture | 2023 | Sculpture | 51 (h) x 25 (dia) cm 

All of the natural materials used in Bunda Art pieces are ethically sourced by Gimuy Walaburra Yidinji Elder and traditional owner, Roy Gray. Please note that they are fragile in nature and should be handled, worn, and stored with care.