Description
Contrary to the depiction and title, in the Guugu Yimithirr language, Garrbunchirr (Being Happy), reflects the opposite to feelings of happiness. Instead, these ghastly and tortured images mirror the destructive and negative effects of alcohol and drugs on the human body and soul. Roy often spoke about how the bad spirits, yiki in Guugu Yimithirr, can possess and destroy when in these states.
Many of Roy’s paintings were of culture, land and spirits of ‘invisible realms’ from indigenous perspectives and philosophies.
