Middi Buni Bagu
Based on the traditional fire making implements of the Girringun rainforest Aboriginal people, the artists have created artworks made from clay, timber and string to evoke the spirit of the old people.
Buni is the language word for fire and bagu is the language name for the tool used to create fire. These bagu figurines were fired in the heart of the fire, in a pit, and marked by the breath of the flames.
Traditionally, the firesticks were made up of two parts, theBagu (body) and Jiman (sticks). Bagu is normally made from the boogadilla (milky pine tree) and Jiman are made from mudja (wild guava tree). The bagu form was founded in the shape of a man. The spirit design was created with traditional clays and the ochre colours are magera yellow,jillan, black with wallaby blood and garba white.
Middi is the language word for small in local dialects. The traditional bagu were generally about 30 cm long.
20cm x 11cm x 3.5cm ceramic
Year: 2013
JM13203
John Murray
John Murray is a Girramay man. He is based in the Murray Upper region, North-West of Cardwell, Queensland. John is an accomplished Bagu and Bigin Bowl ceramicist. He is also a fine painter, first picking up his paintbrush in 2008. He uses art as a creative outlet of expression and communication; connecting with others beyond his disabilities. His gift for colour transforms traditional and personal stories with energy and vitality. John’s work reflects the pleasure he takes in fishing, camping, and sports. It provides a glimpse of life in the rainforest. His first solo show, John’s Stories, was featured at the Kick Arts Contemporary Art Centre, coinciding with the 2010 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. The show toured Queensland in 2012 and 2014. John’s work has been featured in private and institutional collections, including the State Library of Queensland, Queensland Art Gallery, and Arts Queensland.
Return Policy
Arts & Crafts:
Girringun Art Centre’s arts and crafts are hand produced, one off original works. As such they may from time to time have unique marks or craftsmanship nuances that may be deemed as faults. These will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us within 30 (thirty) days upon receipt of the item if you feel the work has an issue that you’d like to discuss.
Merchandise:
Girringun Art Centre strives to produce merchandise that is of quality. We understand however that sometimes there may be issues in the reproductions that doesn’t reflect this. Should your product be faulty, we are happy to provide a store credit to the price of the item (proof of purchase required). Please contact us within 30 (thirty) days of purchase to arrange your return.
Shipping:
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