"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.
Traditionally, the firesticks were made up of two parts, the Bagu (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."
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.
Technical:
Artist: John Murray
Cultural Group: GirramayMaterials: Clay Ceramic Non-Traditional
Dimensions: 33 x 16.5 x 6cm
Cat # JM1071
Bagu
Arts and 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: Any times that are returned will be shipped at your cost. Insurance: We strongly recommend insuring all arts, crafts and fragile products. As we hand our items to reputed freight, postage and courier companies we cannot accept returns of items purchased that have been damaged due to their negligence.The Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre is located in Cardwell, Far North Queensland. The centre represents artists from nine Traditional Owner Groups, the Nywaigi, Gugu Badhun, Warrgamay, Warungnu, Bandjin, Girramay, Gulgnay, Jirrbal and Djiru people.