Damibila, Dangalaba, Gakinga and Mudla

Denise Quall’s works of land and ocean animals are combined with colours of the Larrakia country and sea.

Denise Quall worked alongside digital designer Ciella Williams to create brilliant designs with her artworks. This process enabled the art to be digitised in large format for rapping around four irrigation tanks located at sporting ovals in the northern suburbs and throughout the Waters Ward.

At the Moil tank you can see Damibila (barramundi), as it waits patiently for the wet season and when the rivers overflow. This is a joyous time for barra as they head to gudndimidjinda (saltwater) and the overflowing karawa (fresh waters) to spawn.

In Malak there is the Dangalaba (saltwater crocodile) artwork, which is an animal significant to the Dangalaba Clan (a Larrakia clan).

The Anula water tank features Gakinga (magpie goose). Gakinga welcomes balnba (the wet season). This is a time of rejuvenation.

The Wagaman tank shows the Mudla (mudcrab), which is a healthy bush tucker found in local creeks, coastal flats and river mouths.

Meet the Artist

Denise Quall (Instagram: minbani_arts) is a local Larrakia visual artist and painter and a direct descendent of the Dangalaba Clan. Born and bred in Darwin, Denise creates contemporary artworks across a variety of mediums including print, fabric, and paint. Final works selected will be based on original lino cut artwork designs by Denise, and included within a set of artworks, with Designer Ciella Williams, to irrigation tank specifications.

Ciella Williams is a local visual artist and graphic designer born and bred in Darwin. As a graphic designer, Ciella works predominantly in digital formats, as well as branding and illustration. Ciella is one half of the Creepy Curlew design studio team also based in Darwin.

Photographer: Charlie Bliss Creative