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Arthur ROUGHSEY
Speargrass
custom-print on linen
150 cm wide x 2.4 m length
limited edition print of 50 m
Commissioned by Cairns Regional Gallery, 2015
All original textile sales are final
Suitable for: Clothing, curtains/blinds, lampshades, tablecloths, craft, soft furnishings, light upholstery
About the artist
Arthur Roughsey was born in 1967 into the Lardil language group of Mornington Island. He is among artists connected to the Mornington Island Arts and Crafts Centre who are inspired by one another and use contemporary materials to express mythic stories and the bonds between traditional culture and country.
Usually working on a dark ground, Roughsey paints constellations of small dots to abstract effect. Used here as a textile scheme in Thuwathu, Roughsey finds a naturally compatible medium for his ethereal effect.
A traditional story underpins the work, as Roughsey explains. 'This fellow, Thuwathu, he is the Rainbow Serpent. Thuwathu is his language name in our Lardil language. He died when his sister Bulthuku (the Shorebird), lit him up with fire when he wouldn't share his shelter with her and her baby Jindirrbu (Willy-wagtail). Her baby died because of the cold rain when Thuwathu wouldn't give them shelter. Now you see him up in the sky as the many different colours of the rainbow.'
Purchase of fabric directly supports the artist.
Care instructions
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