We are very happy to announce CAEPR has received formal permission to use the Gulach (spike rush) design on CAEPR’s webpage, various publications and for public events. This design was painted on bark by artist Terry Ngamandara Wilson (1950-2011) who lived in the community of Gochan Jiny-Jirra on the Cadell River in north central Arnhem Land. Permission to use the image came from Terry’s family, Maningrida Arts and Culture and Viscopy.

Several of us at CAEPR who worked in the Maningrida region knew Terry and admired his paintings; being allowed to associate CAEPR with his work is an honour and deeply meaningful to us. Gulach is an important food source for the region’s magpie geese, and is found across Terry’s clan country close to the Barlparnarra swamp. Gulach is also painted on the chests of participants during certain sacred ceremonies. The design involves a delicate cross hatching style called Rarrk. Rarrk is said by artists to be not the painting of the particular object, but it’s power.

Jerry Schwab
Director
Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
10 November 2016