‘My work represents different aspects of ceremony, but the whole work talks about ceremony as a way of life…’

Darrell Sibosado is a Goolarrgon Bard man from Lombadina situated on the Dampier Peninsula of the Kimberley coast, Western Australia. His practice explores the innovative potential of the riji (pearl shell) designs within a contemporary context. Passed down over countless generations, the designs represent the detached scales of Aalingoon, the Rainbow Snake, as he rests on the ocean surface, shedding his scales containing traditional knowledge and beliefs.

‘These symbols are passed down through the men’s line. They’re not owned, but are part of my brothers’ lives – we all use them and make our own versions of them. As we go further down the line with our sons and grandsons, you can see whose grandchild it is from the designs.’

Galalan – is a representation of the person. This design includes references to scarification, hammerhead shark, penis (male symbol) and his country.