Kurrung

Amarak Country, Northern Territory

The floodplains in Western Arnhem Land are a thriving cultural landscape and abundant ecosystem.

The floodplains are at the mercy of the annual monsoon event. You’re probably familiar with northern Australia’s two seasons: the dry season (April to October) and the wet tropical summer (November to March).

But Kakadu’s Traditional Owners recognise six different seasons based on thousands of years of local knowledge. The transitions between seasons are marked by subtle variations in the weather, the plants in flower and the bush foods that are most abundant.

Cobalt was captured during the Kurrung season - a period of long hot days of building humidity before the relieving rainfalls of the monsoon. A period when the the floodplains dry out, amplifying the salinity, PH levels and oils in the remaining stands of water. 

The Cobalt water of this swamp contrasted incredibly against the golden light over the dried and drying vegetation and floodplain. 

The graphic landscape is punctuated by countless birds providing a wonderful point of reference in an otherwise abstract image.

Please note that the dimensions listed on this website are for the overall print size - which excludes the frame and the matboard.