Kernalk (ibis) is one of our animals, that we bininj (Aboriginal people) eat. Lindsay has painted two types of ibis, the one with black feathers, Birndu (Straw-necked ibis, Threskiornis spinicollis) and the one with white feathers, Kernalk (Australian White Ibis, Threskiornis moluccus). Kernalklives in the forest, and when a fire has gone through we see it going around eating charcoal. Sometimes we see them going around on the floodplains, rivers and creeks. We see Birndu (Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellis) on the floodplain in the wet season, and flying in big flocks in the build-up season. We Aboriginal people eat both types of Kernalk, as well as Birndu.

Kernalk ngalka mayh ngadberre nawu bininj ngad ngarrikukburlerri bungarringun. Kernalk kare kore manberrk, bu manwurrk kabirriwurlhke wanjh karrinan kawakerren kabulengun. Yika karrinan kare kawakekore kabbal. Kore mankabo manlabbarl manwanjdjad. Dja ngalbubirndu ngalkka karrinan kore kabbal bu kudjewk dja kurrung karrolkarren karrinan mirndewern. Kernalk bokenh ngalbu ngalmudbele dja ngalbuyika ngalmudburlerri ngarringun yerrih nawungad bininj ngarrikukburlerri birndu dja kernalk bokenh mayhmayh ngarringun. (Text: Andrew Manakgu)

This painting needs to be framed or stretched. It’s also being sent direct from the artist at a remote art centre, Injalak Arts, in west Arnhem Land, NT. Please note there is only one mail plane a week that takes the artwork to Gunbalanya. The tracking information is then received a week later when the mail plane returns so often the paintings are delivered before we receive the tracking information. Please expect a slightly longer wait for this very special artwork to arrive.