Barramundi and Crayfish Dreaming MK18261

Year: 1998

Framed size: 78 x 98cm
Image size: 57 x 76cm
acrylic on arches paper

The Barramundi is a large Australian fish found in freshwater rivers and in the ocean. It  holds deep cultural and spiritual significance in Aboriginal artworks from Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.

Often depicted in traditional cross-hatching or rarrk style, the fish is not only a vital food source but also a symbol connected to ancestral creation stories. In many clans, the barramundi is linked to Dreaming narratives that explain the origins of the land, waterways, and kinship systems.

Through its depiction in art, the barramundi represents the close relationship between people, country, and the natural world, embodying themes of survival, identity, and spiritual continuity.