Biirrinba Ngarrangiya

‘Biirrinba Ngarrangiya’ (Clarence River Deep Listening) is a painting which pays homage to the mighty Clarence River and my Mother’s family who grew up on a small island called Ulgundahi within the banks of Biirrinba. 

The painting depicts a view of the river from Maclean looking towards the hills of Ashby. The prominent hillside landscape is layered with aerial views of Biirrinba and Ulgundahi Island.

The various elements of mark making within this painting are reflective of the deep listening in which we practice as part of our Aboriginal Spirituality. We become one with the river and allow ourselves the time of sitting and listening to the spirit of Biirrinba. By doing so, we are able to heal within ourselves and within our community.

The small marks and linear aspects refers to my bloodlines to this place, yet it is also a mark of respect for all the wrongdoings of the past, the unspoken and or undocumented history which occurred within the very banks of the Clarence River.

I paint what I am most familiar with, my river, my Biirrinba. I see the river as a life-giving vein that pumps through our body enabling us to be.

When the river is healthy and flowing, so are its people.