Classic James Malibirr

Senior artists at Djilpin Arts have been sharing culture for decades, ensuring knowledge is being passed on for future generations. As time passes, mobility, steady hand or vision issues increase, with the artist’s ability to document and transfer stories becoming somewhat reduced. Djilpin is supporting our artists to stay connected and maintain income through our Classic Beswick Series.

About James Malibirr
James has been creating art since he was a little boy, he estimates around the age of sixteen. Taught by his father, uncle and adopted father, he learned through sitting, watching and absorbing traditional techniques, knowledge and stories. As James asked about certain stories being painted, his teachers made sure to teach him to only tell the right culture and the right story, as culture is important and it is wrong to tell someone else's story.
Artistic through a variety of mediums including canvas, carving, and yidaki (didj), Jame's recurrent themes are fish and billabong tucker, as well as stone blade paintings which is his mothers story.

Longneck Turtle
This piece depicts a long neck turtle hiding between two lily roots. This has been painted using a handmade Jarlk grass reed brush harvested from a local billabong or wet area.