Jeremiah Bonson is a Djinaŋ/Marung artist. He was born in Darwin but raised at the outstation Gamurra-Gu-yurra, his mother Matilda Pascoe’s country. Jeremiah and his wife lived in Galiwinku but moved to Maningrida in 2021 with their small family. Jeremiah is a dancer, musician (he plays the yidaki or didgeridoo), painter and sculptor. Although an emerging artist, he was taught his traditional culture and traditional song line (bourgur) by his adoptive father Jimmy. His practice is informed by a culture thousands of years old.

Warrah Bun Bun 2010 is a stunning group of eight mimi spirits or Mokuy who belong to his mother’s dreaming; they are her totem and come from her country of Gamurra-Gu-yurra. These spirits sleep during the day and can only be seen at night when they come out to hunt, dance, sing, laugh and play. They are tall and skinny and jubilantly gather water and hunt for food (natha) at local billabongs—their favourite food is the yam. But, although they are happy, joyful spirits, they will take you away if you get too close. When they dance, they are covered with white clay, which Bonson represents in his sculptures by the white dots. He skillfully captures the playful spirit of these mimi, making them distinctly his own with their armless, slender bodies and friendly faces.

Warrah Bun Bun wonderfully complements the Gallery’s collection of works by artists from Galiwin’ku and is the first work of art by Bonson to be acquired by the National Gallery of Australia.

Tina Baum
Curator, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art
in artonview, issue 63, spring 2010