Emily Murray

38 x 32 x 15cm

Painted glazed ceramic on a 36cm metal stand, square base.

Bagu imagery is associated with traditional fire making implements of the rainforest Girringun Aboriginal People and evoke the spirit of the ancestors. Traditionally, the fire sticks were compromised of two parts, the Bagu (body) and the Jiman (fire sticks). Bagu would be made from the wood of the milky pine tree and Jiman from the wild guava tree. The Bagu took the shape of a man and a spirit design was created with clays and ochre colours of yellow, black with wallaby blood and white,. Bagu and Jiman were carried from campsite to campsite and vigilantly kept alight with huge responsibility by a designated man.