Jabis Nganjmirra

Kin name: Nakangila
Language: Kunwinjku
Dreaming: Yirridjdja
Clan: Djalama
Dance: Yawkyawk Djang
Date of birth: 1985-01-19
From: Marlwon
Community: Oenpelli NT

Jabis Nganjmirra is the son of the late prominent artist Robin Nganjmirra and the late weaver Clara Nganjmirra, née Djorlom. He is quickly developing a reputation as one of the up-and-coming artists of Injalak Arts.

His paintings are known for their strong design qualities, balancing a sense of overall pattern with subtle asymmetries which enhance their overall composition. His linework is precise and confident, often combining parallel rarrk (hatching) with crosshatching for visual effect. Jabis Nganjmirra gravitates towards water scenes, which suit his flowing style and reflect his freshwater heritage and Kunwinjku fishing and hunting traditions. With their abundance of overlapping and intertwined billabong life, often in the West Arnhem “x-ray” style, his paintings are sometimes reminiscent of the rock art of Injalak Hill. However he paints a broad range of subjects, including his Dreaming of Yawkyawk or female water spirit from his country at Marlwon.

He is part of a younger generation of artists at Injalak including Ezariah Kelly, Joey Nganjmirra and Allan Namaniyuo whose works are characterised by visual innovation and a strong aesthetic sense. Their style is well suited to the acrylic on paper medium they favour, however all also produce striking works with ochre and bark.

Group exhibitions

2013       Wurrkabal, Netanya Resort, Noosa QLD
2013       Injalak Arts Exhibition, Better World Arts, Port Adelaide

Artworks

Kulabbarl (Billabong) - 2014
Jabis Nganjmirra
  • $1,250.00