Sherianne Manakgu Mandjurlngunj, b. 1990
Yawk Yawk Spirit, 2021
ochres on wood
55 x 5 cm
21 5/8 x 2 in
21 5/8 x 2 in
MM5626
Sold
From the Central and Western Arnhem Land regions ''Yawkyawk' is a word from the Kunwinjku/Kunwok language, meaning ‘young woman’ and ‘young woman spirit being’. Sometimes compared to the European notion...
From the Central and Western Arnhem Land regions ''Yawkyawk' is a word from the Kunwinjku/Kunwok language, meaning ‘young woman’ and ‘young woman spirit being’. Sometimes compared to the European notion of mermaids, yawkyawks are usually depicted with the tails of fish. They have long hair, associated with trailing blooms of algae, typically found in Arnhem Land streams and rock pools.
