#204 Marra - Lightning Spirit - EDDIE BLITNER : Aboriginal Art : 94cm x 132cm

ARTIST: Eddie Blitner
REGION: Katherine, N.T.
TRIBE: Marra - Borroloola
TITLE: Marra - Lightning Spirit
MEDIUM: Painting - acrylic on canvas

All paintings come with a Certificate of Authenticity and are signed by the artist

The body of Marra is shaped like a praying mantis with rods protruding from his head.  These are his power source to light up the clouds and the sky with lightning flashes.  The axes on his shoulders and his knees split trees when he makes a lightning strike on the earth.  Marra comes in late October to tell the Aboriginal people that bush tucker like red apple, green plum and black plum are ready to collect and eat.  This is the start of the Northern Territory "Build-Up" season.  He gets stronger through the wet season, striking trees with his axes in January and February until he leaves in early March.

Eddie grew up on Victoria River Downs Cattle Station in the Northern Territory along with other families including the Wavehill boys.

Like many of the Indigenous men on the cattle stations, Eddie became a hardworking stockman on Vic Station, also helping his Grandfather at Beswick Station.

Whilst helping at Beswick Station his Grandfather Fred Blitner showed him the artifacts that the old men did and how they painted on bark. Eddie was keen to learn and started to help the old men. His cousin David Blanazi helped teach Eddie the old men's ways and the stories.

See Eddie Blitner 'Profile & Collections' page for further information and to see all of his art listed.