Born Miwirnbi, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory 1982

Djowinge moiety and Djinang people, Northern Territory

Jeremiah Bonson is a Djinaŋ/Marung artist. He was born in Darwin but raised at the outstation Gamurra-Gu-yurra, his mother Matilda country. Jeremiah and his wife lived in Galiwinku but now moved to Maningrida with his 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.

The Warraburnburn is a mimih spirits or Mokuy which belongs 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 skilfully captures the playful spirit of these mimih, making them distinctly his own with their armless, slender bodies and friendly face – Maningrida Arts and Culture