Creatures of the Rainforest: two artists explore Djabugay country

Warren Brim (illustrations)

Anna Eglitis (text & illustrations)

Magabala Books, Australia: 2005

ISBN: 1875641998

Genres: art, picture book

Issues: aboriginality, environment, identity, perspectives

CBCA Shortlist 2006: Eva Pownall Award for Information Texts

The Djabugay are from the rainforest and Tableland country of far north Queensland. Each artist's interpretation of a particular creature or plant is placed on facing pages, allowing readers to consider differences of each artist's way of looking at and interpreting what they see.

The fact that Brim and Eglitis have both used hand coloured linocuts on paper provides a visual unity that is undisturbed by the fact that Brim alternates with acrylic paintings on paper. Instead, the reader is encouraged to compare use of line, colour and image in the interpretation of each subject.

Djabugay language is also emphasised, each image being labelled in the aboriginal dialect first, English second. Eglitis has written a paragraph or so of information about each creature or plant that not only describes its behaviour and habitat but often its significant to traditional Djabugay culture. A Djubagay language guide is provided at the end of the book to enable those reading aloud to attempt correct pronunciation.

The rich colour used by both artists makes this an appealing book, visually. The significant differences of colour choice, combined with Brim's greater use of rhythmic patterns and line, make fascinating variations between the works. Eglitis invariably includes blue-green elements in her works, colours used only once or twice by Brim and then only as highlights. Brim tends to use the reds, browns and ochre tones of traditional Aboriginal art without in the least affecting his portrayal of more colourful creatures and their habitats. Where Eglitis' work captures beautifully the physical reality of each animal, plant, bird or insect, and the verdant growth of its rainforest habitat, Brim's images reflect the spirit of the subject, its essence, and its significance to his people.

This is a fascinating book that can be used as a reference in many contexts - art, science, HSIE, aboriginal studies, to name a few. The underlying concept - a comparison of ways of seeing and relating to a physical environment - is also interesting and something that readers could explore beyond this book.