Turtle with “Wadgina (1)” Original Acrylic Painting by Rod Lucas 28.5cm long

Wadgina (1) – Sitting Male Wadgina with Three Turtles

This Aboriginal artwork by Rod Lucas, a Takalaka artist from the Gulf of Carpentaria, depicts Wadgina, the thunderstorm spirit, who plays a vital role in filling waterholes that turtles rely on for survival. During the wet season, when turtles are abundant, Wadgina also hunts them. In this piece, Wadgina is shown holding two turtles, with a third turtle resting on the ground. The design is painted on a freshwater turtle shell, featuring a yellow ochre background, a red ochre rim, and intricate black detailing that brings the cultural significance of this story to life.

The artwork is created using acrylic paints, capturing the rich ochre colours traditionally associated with Aboriginal art. Each turtle shell in this collection is ethically sourced, hand-painted, and finished with lacquer. These shells can be displayed on a wall or tabletop, offering a striking and culturally meaningful addition to any space.

• Artist: Rod Lucas, Takalaka man
• Artwork Title: Wadgina (1) – Sitting Male Wadgina Holding Two Turtles
• Collection: Wadgina – Turtle Shell Collection
• Materials: Hand-painted freshwater turtle shell with acrylics, finished with lacquer
• Colours: Black Wadgina design, yellow ochre background, red ochre rim
• Display options: Wall-mounted (wire attached) or tabletop display
• Dimensions: 28.5 cm long, 24cm wide 11 cm depth
• Includes: Turtle shell permit and Certificate of Authenticity (COA)

Add this ethically sourced, hand-painted turtle shell to your Aboriginal art collection. Each piece shares the story of Wadgina and celebrates Indigenous culture.