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) or jiman. 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.

Bagu measures 20cm x 7cm x 3cm

Eileen Tep (Deceased)

Eileen Tep is a Jirrbal woman of the Davidson Road area. She is based in the Jumbun Aboriginal Community of the Murray Upper area, North-West of Cardwell, Queensland.  

Eileen is a skilled weaver of Mindi, Gundula and Jawun bicornual baskets. She is also an emerging painter and ceramicist. Eileen learnt her weaving skills from her Mother. When creating baskets, Eileen collects lawyer cane from the rainforest at the Jumbun community, removes the spiky outer ‘skin’ of the cane and prepares the cane from splitting by passing it through the fire. The cane is then finely split and woven into the necessary shape with great accuracy. 

Eileen’s work is inspired by traditions and the environment of her rainforest ancestors. An award winning artist, Eileen has received The Cairns Airport Innovation Award (Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre, CIAF 2019) and The Strand of Ephemera, (Townsville Artistic Excellence Award), amongst others.

Girrungun Art Center was established in 2008, the Girringun Art Centre is home to multi-award winning artists and craftsmen. Located in Cardwell, Queensland, Girringun represents artists from nine Traditional Owner Groups: the Nywaigi, Gugu Badhan, Warrgamay, Warungnu, Bandjin, Girramay, Gulngay, Jirrbal and Djiru people. Emerging from the rainforest canopy and a culture spanning countless generations.

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