Jabiru Library mural tells story of Ngalyod the Rainbow Serpent

The walls of the Jabiru Public Library have been brought to life through inspiring artwork by local man David Cameron and Larrakeyah man Shaun Lee.

While the idea of a mural came from an idea in 2020, it was Shaun and David’s vision together which really made the art piece magical and unique to the region.

Though they had never met before, the two talents artists quickly bonded over David’s idea of the Ngalyod the Rainbow Serpent concept.

“David quickly suggested Ngalyod the Rainbow Serpent because this ancestral being is the creator of all landscapes, waterways, animals, plants, insects, clans and totems,” Shaun said.

“The library is the keeper of all the knowledge and shares with everyone so he felt it should be Ngalyod.”

Ngalyod represents elements of the surrounding billabongs, floodplains, savannah woodlands and the six seasons of Kakadu.

The background of the painted images of the bush tucker in the region during the different seasons are the 6 elements. Barramundi are created by the Rainbow Serpent as he moves from water ways to water ways creating many fish for all. Cross-hatching style for this region was used in a rainbow pallet to create a beautiful serpent.

Although David had not used contemporary colours before or large painting brushes, he very quickly learnt from Shaun that adapting techniques can be used without losing any meaning to the images being painted.

Shaun and David’s sharing of stories and knowledge of different techniques have created a perfectly balanced piece of art working together in harmony.

Come and visit the library to check out this beautiful space.