Wayin translates as "bird". Within the spiritual law of North East Arnhem Land, it is believed that the spirit of deceased individuals is guided to its appropriate destination by a bird from their clan.

This piece is a decorative item made from renewable wood, typically harvested during the dry season. Preferred woods include Maḻwan (Hibiscus Tiliaceus), Gunhirr (Blind-Your-Eye Mangrove), Wuḏuku (mangrove wood), and Barraṯa (Kapok). The process begins with entering the monsoon vine thicket to cut the wood and carry it back to the vehicle, often involving a long hike through prickly vines and scrub.

The wood is skinned and left to dry for a short period before being shaped with a knife or axe. After the surface is sanded smooth, a layer of red paint is usually applied first. The paints used are earth pigments. Red (meku), yellow (Gaŋgul), and black (gurrŋan) pigments are made by rubbing rocks of these colours against a grinding stone, then adding water and PVA glue in small quantities. Traditionally, plant resin would have been used as a fixative instead. A new batch of paint is prepared or renewed every few minutes as it dries or is used up.

Once an outline of the composition is laid down, the marwat or crosshatching begins. This is applied using a brush made from a few strands of straight human hair, usually from a young woman or girl. The artist charges the marwat (brush) with paint and then paints away from themselves in a straight line. Each stroke requires a fresh infusion of pigment.

The final layer to be applied is almost always white clay, or gapan, made from kaolin harvested from special sites. This also has water and glue added after being crushed into a fine powder. An alternative to painting the crosshatching is to use a razor to incise fine lines and reveal the light-coloured wood underneath.

Details:

Depiction of Wayin (bird)

Dimensions: 28 x 7 x 6.5 cm

Weight: 0.2 kg