Signed certificate of authenticity.
There are two Dreaming ladies at BĂĄbbarra billabong â DjĂłmi and BĂĄbbarra. These two are sisters: one
freshwater âmermaidâ and one saltwater one. Big long head, big stomach and very skinny legs that BĂĄbbarra.
Their mother is the crocodile who lives in the BĂĄbbarra billabong.
Both sisters will give people babies through the drinking water at BĂĄbbarra. Thatâs why men stay away and BĂĄbbarra is a sacred womenâs site. Too strong our Dreaming â even men can get that baby in their tummies!
When it rains at BĂĄbbarra, or when a cyclone comes, itâs because our Dreaming is too strong. There are lots of women spirits. When the storms come, the spirits go in the underground rivers and hide safely.
If you go fishing in our country, you have to be careful not to catch the BĂĄbbarra and DjĂłmi âmermaidsâ. Some people catch them thinking they are barramundi, but they are actually the âmermaidâ spirits. You will know, because they have white hair.
This artwork is currently available from Bluethumb's Melbourne Gallery in Richmond.