Travis Burgu

Fitzroy Valley District High School

Year Year 9

Batik wax painting on fabric

85cm × 52cm

For my Aboriginal painting I chose the Barramundi as my source of inspiration. For Aboriginal people in Western Australia’s north, such as in the Fitzroy Valley where I live, the barramundi is a culturally significant species. It features heavily in creation stories. Furthermore, it provides an essential food source and support.

I also chose the technique of batik. Batik is an old textile art that uses a wax-resist dyeing technique and I used it to create the intricate, colourful patterns of the fish on fabric.I have enjoyed and learnt how to apply melting wax to cloth, acting as a barrier to dye so that only the unwaxed areas absorb the colour.