"Jeedara Dreaming" By Bunna Lawrie

Artist: Bunna Lawrie

Size (H x W): 100 x 170 cm

Jeedara – The Great White Whale
This artwork depicts Jeedara, the Great White Whale of the Mirning people, a powerful creation being from the Dhoogur (Dreamtime). Jeedara was created by Dhoogurna, the Great Creator Spirit, to protect the oceans and guide the animals in the ways of the Creator. As he travelled along the Bunda cliffs and coastline, Jeedara left sacred imprints in the land and sea, shaping Country and giving rise to ochres, flints, fire, and the knowledge that sustains the Mirning people. His presence connects sea, land, and sky, reminding us of the deep spiritual bonds that hold creation together.

Jeedara’s story is central to Mirning Law and Custom, teaching that Mirning means “Listen, Observe, Learn and Understand.” Through his journey with the Seven Sisters, the dolphin, and the penguin, Jeedara gave the Mirning people their role as custodians of the land and sea, with a responsibility to care for Country and protect the oceans. Paintings of Jeedara honour this sacred story and carry forward his message of balance, respect, and the enduring strength of Mirning culture.

About the Artist – Bunna Lawrie
Bunna Lawrie is a senior songman, cultural custodian, and respected Elder of the Mirning people from the Nullarbor region of South Australia. He is widely known as a whale songman, entrusted with the sacred Whale Dreaming stories of his Country, and has spent his life preserving and sharing cultural knowledge through ceremony, teaching, and the arts.

Alongside his work as a cultural leader, Bunna is also a renowned musician, storyteller, and painter. His artwork reflects the deep spiritual connection of the Mirning people to the sea, land, and sky, often centring on the Whale Dreaming and its teachings about creation, balance, and care for the natural world. Through his creative practice, Bunna continues to pass on cultural knowledge and celebrate the strength and beauty of Mirning traditions, ensuring they endure for future generations.