water hole”, he is told “That water hole was made by the old man kangaroo digging in the ground with his tail to make a well for water, using his tail as a digging stick”. Later, he is told an even more complex story involving a female kangaroo. (See Morphy for the detailed story.) Clan designs Unlike the previous components of the painting, Clan designs are sacred and initially did not appear on public paintings, although nowadays they can be seen on commercial paintings. A clan design may consist of a combination of symbols, geometric designs, and cross hatching, One clan symbol, for example, consists of a series of interlocking diamonds painted in particular colours, whilst another includes symbols of a “sugar-bag” (wild honey). A Yolngu person can immediately identify the clan and moiety of the painter from that design, which then also provides further context for interpreting the symbolism of the geometric designs. Cross-hatching (rarrk) Cross-hatching, or rarrk, is perhaps one of the most distinctive features of Yolngu art of north-eastern Arnhem Land. Closely spaced parallel fine lines are drawn, intersecting each other. Traditionally it is done on bark, using grass, although artists also use the technique on modern art materials and brushes are almost always used. Artists using the rarrk technique often blend traditional themes or influences, using the traditional colours, restricted to black and white and red ochre and yellow ochre. Many Kunwinjku artists also employ rarrk, including John Mawurndjul and Peter Marralwanga. A sub-style of rarrk, known as x-ray art, shows part of the internal organs of the animals in the painting. Subject material The content depicted by the painting is often either a traditional Dreaming story or a map. Sometimes it will be both, because the ancestral stories and songs often refer to the paths of creation ancestors as they travel across the land (see songlines). Morphy gives an example of a painting that depicts a particular ancestral journey, but also shows where an airstrip was built. Notable Aboriginal bark painters Notable bark painters include: Narritjin Maymuru Yirawala John Mawurndjul Djawa Djambawa Murawilli George Milpurrurru Binyinyuwuy Djarrankuykuy Mungurrawuy Yunupingu Paddy Dhathangu Wandjuk Marika (also a noted didgeridoo player) Lofty Bardayal Nadjamerrek Bobby Barrdjaray Nganjmirra Nonggirrnga Marawili Nyapanyapa Yunupingu Gulumbu Yunupingu Jimmy Wululu See also Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre Yirrkala bark petitions References External links Aboriginal Art - Bark paintings Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander