Artwork Story
There are 16 artworks in this set, with 8 pieces measuring 30cm x 30cm and 8 pieces measuring 25cm x 25cm.
This group of paintings illustrates an Atyetyart story from the olden days, recounting the events surrounding a giant perentie (large lizard creature) and the conflict that followed. Each artwork represents a different scene from the story, showing how news travelled between groups and how misunderstanding led to a large tribal conflict before peace was finally restored.
1. This painting shows one man telling another old man about a giant perentie. 30cm x 30cm
2. In this scene the giant perentie eats one of the old men. The other old man manages to escape from the creature. 30cm x 30cm
3. The surviving man finds nearby people who have discovered an old camp where people had been killed long ago and tells them what has happened. 30cm x 30cm
4. The giant perentie transforms into two giant eagles and attacks the people at the camp. 25cm x 25cm
5. The attack continues and some of the people are eaten. None of the group escape. 25cm x 25cm
6. Two wandering kadaicha men come across the camp and discover what has happened. 25cm x 25cm
7. The giant eagles attack the kadaicha men, but the kadaicha men are strong and manage to kill the two eagles. 25cm x 25cm
8. Afterwards, the kadaicha men begin telling others about the events they witnessed and the strange happenings at the camp. 25cm x 25cm
9. The story spreads further as more people hear about what happened. 30cm x 30cm
10. People begin to believe that a nearby tribe used magic to kill those at the camp. They decide they want revenge and plan to attack. 30cm x 30cm
11. A large tribal war begins as groups come together in conflict. 30cm x 30cm
12. The fighting continues as the war grows bigger. 25cm x 25cm
13. More fighting takes place between the groups. 30cm x 30cm
14. The war continues and many people are killed during the battles. 30cm x 30cm
15. Eventually the fighting ends and the groups make peace. The war is finished and people are happy again. 25cm x 25cm
16. Night falls and the story comes to an end. 25cm x 25cm
This style of storytelling through painting has sparked growing interest among younger Aboriginal men who are eager to learn more about the Atyetyart - the stories and knowledge of the old people.
