DAVID MILAYBUMA - FISH AND LIZARD

DAVID MILAYBUMA
FISH AND LIZARD, 1960's
49 x 84 cm
ochres on bark
 
PROVENANCE
Maningrida Art's and Crafts, NT
Private Collection, NSW
 
STORYLong ago, in the wetlands of Arnhem Land, Goanna and Barramundi shared the same waters. Despite their differences, they lived in harmony, each playing their role in the balance of life. Goanna hunted on the riverbanks, while Barramundi swam beneath the surface, weaving through the reeds with effortless grace.
 
One dry season, the waters began to shrink, pulling the two creatures closer together. With less space to share, their harmony turned to rivalry. Goanna, clever and resourceful, eyed Barramundi as both a competitor and a meal. Barramundi, sleek and swift, knew that survival would depend on her ability to outwit the hunter.
 
At dusk, Goanna waited by the water’s edge, his sharp claws digging into the mud. Barramundi, sensing the danger above, stayed hidden among the roots of the paperbark trees. Goanna grew impatient and devised a plan.
 
He scratched at the bank, creating ripples that mimicked the splash of an insect. Lured by the sound, Barramundi darted out from her hiding place. In a flash, Goanna lunged, but Barramundi’s silvery body shimmered in the fading light, slipping through his claws and into deeper water.
 
This dance continued for days, each creature testing the other’s wits. Over time, the challenge became less about survival and more about respect. Goanna admired Barramundi’s speed and cunning, while Barramundi respected Goanna’s persistence and ingenuity.
 
David Milaybuma’s bark painting captures this timeless encounter. The goanna’s angular form contrasts with the fluid curves of the barramundi, their interplay framed by the natural textures of the bark. Through bold cross-hatching and earthy tones, Milaybuma reflects not just a scene but a story of balance, resilience, and the sacred relationship between hunter and hunted.