According to Aboriginal artist Dennis Nona, Saulal explores the phenomenon of the turtle mating season, which begins on the Australian mainland and then moves northward across the Torres Strait Islands.
At the start of the season, Biru Biru birds migrate northward, flying over the Torres Strait toward Papua New Guinea. At the end of the season, they return south to the mainland. These birds can be seen flying in the afternoon, when the sun (visible in the print) is descending toward the horizon. Turtles can be found on the outer reefs as well as closer to the shore, near mangroves and in rivers flowing into the sea. Those near the land feed on mangrove seedlings floating on the surface—one can be seen near the turtle’s beak in the artwork. The flesh of turtles from these two areas tastes very different. Those living near the shore have a muddier, more "freshwater" taste that is less appreciated than the turtles from the reef.
Next to the turtle are two remoras (a type of suckerfish), which were traditionally used in turtle hunting. A coconut-fibre rope was tied to the remora's tail, and the fish was released from a canoe into the water where turtles were known to feed. The remora would latch onto a turtle and tow the canoe until the turtle tired. It was then brought to the surface and harpooned.
Dennis Nona won the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award – Works on Paper Category – 2010 with this artwork.
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