EXHIBITION
WERRKNO II In this skin
8 FEB - 8 MAR, 2025
Laundry Gallery presents WERRKNO II, an exhibition of 33 original works on paper by senior women artists from Maningrida Arts & Culture, on Kunibídji country on the nothern coast of Arnhem Land.
Werrkno is the Kuninjku word for skin/scales/bark/husks and the paintings in WERRKNO II explores cultural narratives and details of ancestral beings, in particular their bodies and skin.
Using natural pigments from the earth ground on paper, and monochromatic mark-making using charcoal and Indian ink the artists have visualised the skin of Namorrorddo, the shooting star spirit that emits rays of white light from their heads and are malevolent in nature, and the eggs of the Djómi, a freshwater fertility spirit with a fish tail, alongside depictions of yams, dillybags, bush medicine plants and fish traps.
WERRKNO II is our second collaboration with the senior women from Maningrida Arts & Culture, many who also work closely with Bábbarra Women's Centre, following their first sold-out show in 2022.
Kalidjan Janet Marawarr
Kalidjan Janet Marawarr is a senior Kuninjku artist who predominantly works at the Babbarra Womens' Centre as a talented textile printer. She is renowned for her lino printing of intuitive repeat patterns on a range of textile surfaces. Janet regards textile design as an opportunity to work with colour and new methods to express her djang (ancestral creation stories).
It wasn't until early 2021 that Janet picked up the manyilk (Bush brush) and painted her first bark painting since the passing of her late husband, Dalngadalnga. Using the knowledge she had from assisting him with his bark paintings, she began to depict Namorrorddo, the Shooting star spirit at Mankorlod. When she is not at the women's center Lino printing or painting at home, she is working for the Maningrida Night Patrol to keep her community safe.
20. Namorrorddo Skin
The Namorrorddo is a yirridjdja moiety being associated with the Yabbadurruwa regional ceremony. Namorrorddo is a profane spirit of a malevolent nature. Namorrorddo sits upon a rock and is usually painted with long claw like hands and feet. Sometimes spurs protrude from the elbows somewhat like those of a flying fox. Namorrorddo carries light, which emanates from his head. The shooting stars seen at night are Namorrorddo travelling across the night sky. He whistles an eerie cry, which Bininj people say they can hear at night from time to time. ~ Maningrida Arts & Culture
DETAILS
- Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 77 x 57cm (unframed), 93 x 74cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1821-24
ARTIST
Kalidjan Janet Marawarr is a senior Kuninjku artist who predominantly works at the Babbarra Womens' Centre as a talented textile printer. She is renowned for her lino printing of intuitive repeat patterns on a range of textile surfaces. Janet regards textile design as an opportunity to work with colour and new methods to express her djang (ancestral creation stories). It wasn't until early 2021 that Janet picked up the manyilk (Bush brush) and painted her first bark painting since the passing of her late husband, Dalngadalnga. Using the knowledge she had from assisting him with his bark paintings, she began to depict Namorrorddo, the Shooting star spirit at Mankorlod. When she is not at the women's center Lino printing or painting at home, she is working for the Maningrida Night Patrol to keep her community safe.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
16. Namorrorddo Skin
The Namorrorddo is a yirridjdja moiety being associated with the Yabbadurruwa regional ceremony. Namorrorddo is a profane spirit of a malevolent nature. Namorrorddo sits upon a rock and is usually painted with long claw like hands and feet. Sometimes spurs protrude from the elbows somewhat like those of a flying fox. Namorrorddo carries light, which emanates from his head. The shooting stars seen at night are Namorrorddo travelling across the night sky. He whistles an eerie cry, which Bininj people say they can hear at night from time to time. ~ Maningrida Arts & Culture
DETAILS
- Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 77 x 57cm (unframed), 93 x 74cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1817-24
ARTIST
Kalidjan Janet Marawarr is a senior Kuninjku artist who predominantly works at the Babbarra Womens' Centre as a talented textile printer. She is renowned for her lino printing of intuitive repeat patterns on a range of textile surfaces. Janet regards textile design as an opportunity to work with colour and new methods to express her djang (ancestral creation stories). It wasn't until early 2021 that Janet picked up the manyilk (Bush brush) and painted her first bark painting since the passing of her late husband, Dalngadalnga. Using the knowledge she had from assisting him with his bark paintings, she began to depict Namorrorddo, the Shooting star spirit at Mankorlod. When she is not at the women's center Lino printing or painting at home, she is working for the Maningrida Night Patrol to keep her community safe.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
17. Namorrorddo Skin
The Namorrorddo is a yirridjdja moiety being associated with the Yabbadurruwa regional ceremony. Namorrorddo is a profane spirit of a malevolent nature. Namorrorddo sits upon a rock and is usually painted with long claw like hands and feet. Sometimes spurs protrude from the elbows somewhat like those of a flying fox. Namorrorddo carries light, which emanates from his head. The shooting stars seen at night are Namorrorddo travelling across the night sky. He whistles an eerie cry, which Bininj people say they can hear at night from time to time. ~ Maningrida Arts & Culture
DETAILS
- Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 77 x 57cm (unframed), 93 x 74cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1818-24
ARTIST
Kalidjan Janet Marawarr is a senior Kuninjku artist who predominantly works at the Babbarra Womens' Centre as a talented textile printer. She is renowned for her lino printing of intuitive repeat patterns on a range of textile surfaces. Janet regards textile design as an opportunity to work with colour and new methods to express her djang (ancestral creation stories). It wasn't until early 2021 that Janet picked up the manyilk (Bush brush) and painted her first bark painting since the passing of her late husband, Dalngadalnga. Using the knowledge she had from assisting him with his bark paintings, she began to depict Namorrorddo, the Shooting star spirit at Mankorlod. When she is not at the women's center Lino printing or painting at home, she is working for the Maningrida Night Patrol to keep her community safe.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
18. Namorrorddo Skin
The Namorrorddo is a yirridjdja moiety being associated with the Yabbadurruwa regional ceremony. Namorrorddo is a profane spirit of a malevolent nature. Namorrorddo sits upon a rock and is usually painted with long claw like hands and feet. Sometimes spurs protrude from the elbows somewhat like those of a flying fox. Namorrorddo carries light, which emanates from his head. The shooting stars seen at night are Namorrorddo travelling across the night sky. He whistles an eerie cry, which Bininj people say they can hear at night from time to time. ~ Maningrida Arts & Culture
DETAILS
- Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 77 x 57cm (unframed), 93 x 74cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1819-24
ARTIST
Kalidjan Janet Marawarr is a senior Kuninjku artist who predominantly works at the Babbarra Womens' Centre as a talented textile printer. She is renowned for her lino printing of intuitive repeat patterns on a range of textile surfaces. Janet regards textile design as an opportunity to work with colour and new methods to express her djang (ancestral creation stories). It wasn't until early 2021 that Janet picked up the manyilk (Bush brush) and painted her first bark painting since the passing of her late husband, Dalngadalnga. Using the knowledge she had from assisting him with his bark paintings, she began to depict Namorrorddo, the Shooting star spirit at Mankorlod. When she is not at the women's center Lino printing or painting at home, she is working for the Maningrida Night Patrol to keep her community safe.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
21. Namorrorddo Skin
The Namorrorddo is a yirridjdja moiety being associated with the Yabbadurruwa regional ceremony. Namorrorddo is a profane spirit of a malevolent nature. Namorrorddo sits upon a rock and is usually painted with long claw like hands and feet. Sometimes spurs protrude from the elbows somewhat like those of a flying fox. Namorrorddo carries light, which emanates from his head. The shooting stars seen at night are Namorrorddo travelling across the night sky. He whistles an eerie cry, which Bininj people say they can hear at night from time to time. ~ Maningrida Arts & Culture
DETAILS
- Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 77 x 57cm (unframed), 93 x 74cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1822-24
ARTIST
Kalidjan Janet Marawarr is a senior Kuninjku artist who predominantly works at the Babbarra Womens' Centre as a talented textile printer. She is renowned for her lino printing of intuitive repeat patterns on a range of textile surfaces. Janet regards textile design as an opportunity to work with colour and new methods to express her djang (ancestral creation stories). It wasn't until early 2021 that Janet picked up the manyilk (Bush brush) and painted her first bark painting since the passing of her late husband, Dalngadalnga. Using the knowledge she had from assisting him with his bark paintings, she began to depict Namorrorddo, the Shooting star spirit at Mankorlod. When she is not at the women's center Lino printing or painting at home, she is working for the Maningrida Night Patrol to keep her community safe.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
19. Namorrorddo Skin
The Namorrorddo is a yirridjdja moiety being associated with the Yabbadurruwa regional ceremony. Namorrorddo is a profane spirit of a malevolent nature. Namorrorddo sits upon a rock and is usually painted with long claw like hands and feet. Sometimes spurs protrude from the elbows somewhat like those of a flying fox. Namorrorddo carries light, which emanates from his head. The shooting stars seen at night are Namorrorddo travelling across the night sky. He whistles an eerie cry, which Bininj people say they can hear at night from time to time. ~ Maningrida Arts & Culture
DETAILS
- Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 77 x 57cm (unframed), 93 x 74cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1820-24
ARTIST
Kalidjan Janet Marawarr is a senior Kuninjku artist who predominantly works at the Babbarra Womens' Centre as a talented textile printer. She is renowned for her lino printing of intuitive repeat patterns on a range of textile surfaces. Janet regards textile design as an opportunity to work with colour and new methods to express her djang (ancestral creation stories). It wasn't until early 2021 that Janet picked up the manyilk (Bush brush) and painted her first bark painting since the passing of her late husband, Dalngadalnga. Using the knowledge she had from assisting him with his bark paintings, she began to depict Namorrorddo, the Shooting star spirit at Mankorlod. When she is not at the women's center Lino printing or painting at home, she is working for the Maningrida Night Patrol to keep her community safe.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
Deborah Wurrkidj
My name is Deborah Wurrkidj. My skin is Kamanj. My country is Mann River, Mumeka. I come from there. All my kids were
growing there, my mother land.
I painted a group of papers, all the small paintings of bush tucker. It’s from my memory, all this manme (bush foods). Sometimes balanda (non-indigenous people) want that food from Aboriginal people, to understand that story. I know how to collect that bush tucker. I got my knowledge from my grandmother. She was carrying me when I was a young girl. And my grandfather too. When I was little girl, they told us to eat this one, and that one, so it was in our mind, in our memory. My grandmother took us out camping, and we were digging yam, and they were teaching us.
All that is my story.
30. Badjdjo (Sweet small yam, Brachystelma glabriflorum)
This one I call badjdjdo. All the badjdjdo. Sometimes little ones, sometimes big one. We’re looking for one, but we find more. Like father and mother, and sisters and brothers. We will find that mother and father badjdjdo, and we know the little kids are
all around. It tastes good. That’s good food. Not really for cooking in the oven, just eat them raw. We wash in the water and then we eat like that. Tastes good.
DETAILS
- Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 48 x 36cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1813-24
ARTIST
Deborah Wurrkidj was born in 1971 at Maningrida in north-central Arnhem Land. Her language is Kuninjku and her moiety is Duwa. Deborah is well known for her fibre weaving, bark painting, woodcarving and printmaking. Deborah is a versatile artist who has readily adapted to new art forms while retaining strong clan traditions. Her work is tactile and intricate and illustrates the artistic innovation that has occurred in Maningrida over the last 30 years. Alongside her highly regarded fine art practice Deborah, with her mother, Helen Lanyinwanga, and sister Jennifer Wurrkidj has been working at Bábbarra Designs since 1991. She is a leading textile artist and an integral member of Bábbarra Women’s Centre. Deborah has exhibited nationally including the 19th Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award in 2020 and is represented in a number of state and private collections. In 2019 she was one of five artists who travelled with the Bàbbarra Women’s Centre to Paris, France for the opening of Jarracharra: Dry Season Wind. In 2023 she travelled to India as the internationally touring Jarracharra exhibition was opening. During this trip Deborah met with local artisans and experimented with translating her designs into traditional Indian woodblock printing.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
22. Manyawok (Cheeky Yam, Dioscorea bulbifera)
I painted a group of papers, all the small paintings of bush tucker. It’s from my memory, all this manme (bush foods). Sometimes balanda (non-indigenous people) want that food from Aboriginal people, to understand that story. I know how to collect that bush tucker. I got my knowledge from my grandmother. She was carrying me when I was a young girl. And my grandfather too. When I was little girl, they told us to eat this one, and that one, so it was in our mind, in our memory. My grandmother took us out camping, and we were digging yam, and they were teaching us. All that is my story.
I made this one first. I was drawing this cheeky yam. We call in our kunwok language ‘manyawok’. It’s like bush potato, manme (food). We boil it, and cut it up in slices, like chips. Then we take it to the river, put it in the dillybag, and leave it in the river water. All the spiciness (toxins) then get out of it. One night we leave it in the river, then we cook it up and eat with family.
DETAILS
- Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 21 x 30cm (unframed), 36 x 27.5cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1805-24
ARTIST
Deborah Wurrkidj was born in 1971 at Maningrida in north-central Arnhem Land. Her language is Kuninjku and her moiety is Duwa. Deborah is well known for her fibre weaving, bark painting, woodcarving and printmaking. Deborah is a versatile artist who has readily adapted to new art forms while retaining strong clan traditions. Her work is tactile and intricate and illustrates the artistic innovation that has occurred in Maningrida over the last 30 years. Alongside her highly regarded fine art practice Deborah, with her mother, Helen Lanyinwanga, and sister Jennifer Wurrkidj has been working at Bábbarra Designs since 1991. She is a leading textile artist and an integral member of Bábbarra Women’s Centre. Deborah has exhibited nationally including the 19th Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award in 2020 and is represented in a number of state and private collections. In 2019 she was one of five artists who travelled with the Bàbbarra Women’s Centre to Paris, France for the opening of Jarracharra: Dry Season Wind. In 2023 she travelled to India as the internationally touring Jarracharra exhibition was opening. During this trip Deborah met with local artisans and experimented with translating her designs into traditional Indian woodblock printing.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
23. Manmayhdedj (Stink Lily, Amorphophallus paeoniifolius)
"I painted a group of papers, all the small paintings of bush tucker. It’s from my memory, all this manme (bush foods). Sometimes balanda (non-indigenous people) want that food from Aboriginal people, to understand that story. I know how to collect that bush tucker. I got my knowledge from my grandmother. She was carrying me when I was a young girl. And my grandfather too. When I was little girl, they told us to eat this one, and that one, so it was in our mind, in our memory. My grandmother took us out camping, and we were digging yam, and they were teaching us. All that is my story.
I call it in my language, Manmayhdjedj. It's like a potato. My country there’s big mob. The old people told us, they gave us that knowledge, like my great great grandpa, and our father and mum, they gave us that knowledge. We eat it, it’s a little bit spicy. We smash it, grind it up, then roast it."
DETAILS
- Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 21 x 30cm (unframed), 36 x 27.5cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1806-24
ARTIST
Deborah Wurrkidj was born in 1971 at Maningrida in north-central Arnhem Land. Her language is Kuninjku and her moiety is Duwa. Deborah is well known for her fibre weaving, bark painting, woodcarving and printmaking. Deborah is a versatile artist who has readily adapted to new art forms while retaining strong clan traditions. Her work is tactile and intricate and illustrates the artistic innovation that has occurred in Maningrida over the last 30 years. Alongside her highly regarded fine art practice Deborah, with her mother, Helen Lanyinwanga, and sister Jennifer Wurrkidj has been working at Bábbarra Designs since 1991. She is a leading textile artist and an integral member of Bábbarra Women’s Centre. Deborah has exhibited nationally including the 19th Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award in 2020 and is represented in a number of state and private collections. In 2019 she was one of five artists who travelled with the Bàbbarra Women’s Centre to Paris, France for the opening of Jarracharra: Dry Season Wind. In 2023 she travelled to India as the internationally touring Jarracharra exhibition was opening. During this trip Deborah met with local artisans and experimented with translating her designs into traditional Indian woodblock printing.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
"...I was drawing this cheeky yam. We call in our kunwok language ‘manyawok’. It’s like bush potato, manme (food). We boil it, and cut it up in slices, like chips. Then we take it to the river, put it in the dillybag, and leave it in the river water. All the spiciness (toxins) then get out of it. One night we leave it in the river, then we cook it up and eat with family."
Deborah Wurrkidj
24. Karrbarda (Long Yam)
"I painted a group of papers, all the small paintings of bush tucker. It’s from my memory, all this manme (bush foods). Sometimes balanda (non-indigenous people) want that food from Aboriginal people, to understand that story. I know how to collect that bush tucker. I got my knowledge from my grandmother. She was carrying me when I was a young girl. And my grandfather too. When I was little girl, they told us to eat this one, and that one, so it was in our mind, in our memory. My grandmother took us out camping, and we were digging yam, and they were teaching us. All that is my story.
This one I was drawing is called Karrbarda. Karrbarda, we eat this one. This is manme (food). Karrbarda, we dig it in the ground, it’s really deep. We take it back to the camp for the people, we share it all together. Like all our bush foods. We’ve got names for every yam. There’s so many! They’re everywhere, they grow across all the different countries. We dig it up, same as all those other yams. My grandmother, she carried me, took me out to the bush, collecting karrbarda. This is a good bush food."
DETAILS
- Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 21 x 30cm (unframed), 36 x 27.5cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1807-24
ARTIST
Deborah Wurrkidj was born in 1971 at Maningrida in north-central Arnhem Land. Her language is Kuninjku and her moiety is Duwa. Deborah is well known for her fibre weaving, bark painting, woodcarving and printmaking. Deborah is a versatile artist who has readily adapted to new art forms while retaining strong clan traditions. Her work is tactile and intricate and illustrates the artistic innovation that has occurred in Maningrida over the last 30 years. Alongside her highly regarded fine art practice Deborah, with her mother, Helen Lanyinwanga, and sister Jennifer Wurrkidj has been working at Bábbarra Designs since 1991. She is a leading textile artist and an integral member of Bábbarra Women’s Centre. Deborah has exhibited nationally including the 19th Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award in 2020 and is represented in a number of state and private collections. In 2019 she was one of five artists who travelled with the Bàbbarra Women’s Centre to Paris, France for the opening of Jarracharra: Dry Season Wind. In 2023 she travelled to India as the internationally touring Jarracharra exhibition was opening. During this trip Deborah met with local artisans and experimented with translating her designs into traditional Indian woodblock printing.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
27. Badjdjo (Bush Radish, Brachystelma glabriflorum)
This one I call badjdjdo. All the badjdjdo. Sometimes little ones, sometimes big one. We’re looking for one, but we find more. Like father and mother, and sisters and brothers. We will find that mother and father badjdjdo, and we know the little kids are
all around. It tastes good. That’s good food. Not really for cooking in the oven, just eat them raw. We wash in the water and then we eat like that. Tastes good.
DETAILS
- Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 21 x 30cm (unframed), 36 x 27.5cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1810-24
ARTIST
Deborah Wurrkidj was born in 1971 at Maningrida in north-central Arnhem Land. Her language is Kuninjku and her moiety is Duwa. Deborah is well known for her fibre weaving, bark painting, woodcarving and printmaking. Deborah is a versatile artist who has readily adapted to new art forms while retaining strong clan traditions. Her work is tactile and intricate and illustrates the artistic innovation that has occurred in Maningrida over the last 30 years. Alongside her highly regarded fine art practice Deborah, with her mother, Helen Lanyinwanga, and sister Jennifer Wurrkidj has been working at Bábbarra Designs since 1991. She is a leading textile artist and an integral member of Bábbarra Women’s Centre. Deborah has exhibited nationally including the 19th Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award in 2020 and is represented in a number of state and private collections. In 2019 she was one of five artists who travelled with the Bàbbarra Women’s Centre to Paris, France for the opening of Jarracharra: Dry Season Wind. In 2023 she travelled to India as the internationally touring Jarracharra exhibition was opening. During this trip Deborah met with local artisans and experimented with translating her designs into traditional Indian woodblock printing.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
26. Manbulubbi (Bush Potato, Eriosema chinense)
Manbulubbi. This one is a food. We go and dig it up, when know where it lives. We look for it. We get it and put it in the fire. It comes up in the dry season. We find it all over. It’s got orange skin, but underneath the skin, the flesh, is sometimes yellow or sometimes white. It’s not spicy, it tastes good. It’s got a yellow flower. We dig it up, not too deep, just half-way. We can put it in the dillybag, or any bag. In old people time, they’d carry our kunmadj (dillybag) and digging sticks, and the old people, they’d be looking for all these yams. They all have names, the old people would teach us.
DETAILS
- Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 21 x 30cm (unframed), 36 x 27.5cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1809-24
ARTIST
Deborah Wurrkidj was born in 1971 at Maningrida in north-central Arnhem Land. Her language is Kuninjku and her moiety is Duwa. Deborah is well known for her fibre weaving, bark painting, woodcarving and printmaking. Deborah is a versatile artist who has readily adapted to new art forms while retaining strong clan traditions. Her work is tactile and intricate and illustrates the artistic innovation that has occurred in Maningrida over the last 30 years. Alongside her highly regarded fine art practice Deborah, with her mother, Helen Lanyinwanga, and sister Jennifer Wurrkidj has been working at Bábbarra Designs since 1991. She is a leading textile artist and an integral member of Bábbarra Women’s Centre. Deborah has exhibited nationally including the 19th Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award in 2020 and is represented in a number of state and private collections. In 2019 she was one of five artists who travelled with the Bàbbarra Women’s Centre to Paris, France for the opening of Jarracharra: Dry Season Wind. In 2023 she travelled to India as the internationally touring Jarracharra exhibition was opening. During this trip Deborah met with local artisans and experimented with translating her designs into traditional Indian woodblock printing.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
Joy Garlbin
There are two Dreaming ladies at Bábbarra billabong – Djómi and Bábbarra. These two are sisters: one freshwater ‘mermaid’ and one saltwater one. Big long head, big stomach and very skinny legs that Bábbarra. Their mother is the crocodile who lives in the Bábbarra billabong. Both sisters will give people babies through the drinking water at Bábbarra. That’s why men stay away and Bábbarra is a sacred women’s site. Too strong our Dreaming... even men can get that baby in their tummies!
9. Bábbarra and Djómi
"There are two Dreaming ladies at Bábbarra billabong – Djómi and Bábbarra. These two are sisters: one freshwater ‘mermaid’ and one saltwater one. Big long head, big stomach and very skinny legs that Bábbarra.
Their mother is the crocodile who lives in the Bábbarra billabong. Both sisters will give people babies through the drinking water at Bábbarra. That’s why men stay away and Bábbarra is a sacred women’s site. Too strong our Dreaming – even men can get that baby in their tummies!"
~ Lena Djabibba, djungkay (mother’s country and ceremonial manager of Bábbarra) and Joy Garlbin (landowner for Bábbarra). Text courtesy of Bábbarra Women's Centre.
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 50 x 35cm (unframed), 60 x 45cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1816-24
ARTIST
Joy Garlbin is a Kunibidji and Kuninjku artist whose work prodominately features the Djomi djang site. She started to make mimih spirit figures under the apprenticeship of Crusoe Kurddal in the 2000s. Exhibiting since 2004, her work is also held in the Queensland Gallery of Art. She is a Traditional Owner of the Maningrida township and been highly politically active in protecting her country.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
7. Djómi
"There are two Dreaming ladies at Bábbarra billabong – Djómi and Bábbarra. These two are sisters: one freshwater ‘mermaid’ and one saltwater one. Big long head, big stomach and very skinny legs that Bábbarra.
Their mother is the crocodile who lives in the Bábbarra billabong. Both sisters will give people babies through the drinking water at Bábbarra. That’s why men stay away and Bábbarra is a sacred women’s site. Too strong our Dreaming – even men can get that baby in their tummies!"
~ Lena Djabibba, djungkay (mother’s country and ceremonial manager of Bábbarra) and Joy Garlbin (landowner for Bábbarra). Text courtesy of Bábbarra Women's Centre.
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 50 x 35cm (unframed), 60 x 45cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1814-24
ARTIST
Joy Garlbin is a Kunibidji and Kuninjku artist whose work prodominately features the Djomi djang site. She started to make mimih spirit figures under the apprenticeship of Crusoe Kurddal in the 2000s. Exhibiting since 2004, her work is also held in the Queensland Gallery of Art. She is a Traditional Owner of the Maningrida township and been highly politically active in protecting her country.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
10. Djómi
"There are two Dreaming ladies at Bábbarra billabong – Djómi and Bábbarra. These two are sisters: one freshwater ‘mermaid’ and one saltwater one. Big long head, big stomach and very skinny legs that Bábbarra.
Their mother is the crocodile who lives in the Bábbarra billabong. Both sisters will give people babies through the drinking water at Bábbarra. That’s why men stay away and Bábbarra is a sacred women’s site. Too strong our Dreaming – even men can get that baby in their tummies!"
~ Lena Djabibba, djungkay (mother’s country and ceremonial manager of Bábbarra) and Joy Garlbin (landowner for Bábbarra). Text courtesy of Bábbarra Women's Centre.
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 50 x 34cm (unframed)
- Cat No. 1890-24
ARTIST
Joy Garlbin is a Kunibidji and Kuninjku artist whose work prodominately features the Djomi djang site. She started to make mimih spirit figures under the apprenticeship of Crusoe Kurddal in the 2000s. Exhibiting since 2004, her work is also held in the Queensland Gallery of Art. She is a Traditional Owner of the Maningrida township and been highly politically active in protecting her country.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
8. Djómi Barurra (Djomi Eggs)
"There are two Dreaming ladies at Bábbarra billabong – Djómi and Bábbarra. These two are sisters: one freshwater ‘mermaid’ and one saltwater one. Big long head, big stomach and very skinny legs that Bábbarra.
Their mother is the crocodile who lives in the Bábbarra billabong. Both sisters will give people babies through the drinking water at Bábbarra. That’s why men stay away and Bábbarra is a sacred women’s site. Too strong our Dreaming – even men can get that baby in their tummies!"
~ Lena Djabibba, djungkay (mother’s country and ceremonial manager of Bábbarra) and Joy Garlbin (landowner for Bábbarra). Text courtesy of Bábbarra Women's Centre.
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 50 x 35cm (unframed), 60 x 45cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1815-24
ARTIST
Joy Garlbin is a Kunibidji and Kuninjku artist whose work prodominately features the Djomi djang site. She started to make mimih spirit figures under the apprenticeship of Crusoe Kurddal in the 2000s. Exhibiting since 2004, her work is also held in the Queensland Gallery of Art. She is a Traditional Owner of the Maningrida township and been highly politically active in protecting her country.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
Lucy Yarawanga
Bulanjdjan Lucy Yarawanga is an experienced Gurr-goni textile artist, who predominantly works at Bábbarra Women’s Centre in Maningrida. She works with both lino and screen printing techniques, with her textile designs often referencing her ancestral stories, including various depictions of Bawaliba (Djinkarr spirit woman).
Lucy’s painting style, like her personality, is bold and to the point. As well as her native Gurr-goni language – one of the least commonly spoken languages in Arnhem Land, Lucy also speaks another eight Maningrida languages.
19. Sad face Bawaliba. Bawaliba are sad.
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 79.5 x 64.5cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1840-24
ARTIST
Bulanjdjan Lucy Yarawanga is an experienced Gurr-goni textile artist, who predominately works at Bábbarra Women’s Centre. She works with both lino and screen printing techniques, with her textile designs often referencing her ancestral stories, including various depictions of Bawaliba (Djinkarr spirit woman). Lucy’s painting style, like her personality, is bold and to the point. As well as her native Gurr-goni language – one of the least commonly spoken languages in Arnhem Land, Lucy also speaks another eight Maningrida languages.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
32. Too Many Yam
"This lady was really skinny, but then she ate lots and lots and lots of yam, and kangaroo and goanna. She ate them raw. She got bigger and bigger. And after that she was so greedy for yams, and every meat, that she took her dillybag and kept collecting more food. She’d go back home and cook on the fire, and she’d never share, and she got fat. Bawáliba is the djang (Dreaming) of my mother and my uncles. They are good spirits, they protect us and they recognise families. They are really tall- just like human beings, like us. They dance late at night and have a lot of hair." ~ Bulanjdjan Lucy Yarawanga
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 93 x 74cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1823-24
ARTIST
Bulanjdjan Lucy Yarawanga is an experienced Gurr-goni textile artist, who predominately works at Bábbarra Women’s Centre. She works with both lino and screen printing techniques, with her textile designs often referencing her ancestral stories, including various depictions of Bawaliba (Djinkarr spirit woman). Lucy’s painting style, like her personality, is bold and to the point. As well as her native Gurr-goni language – one of the least commonly spoken languages in Arnhem Land, Lucy also speaks another eight Maningrida languages.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
Sandra Richards
My name is Sandra Richards, I’m from Bolkjam, and my dad (artist Jack Nawilil) is really happy I’m doing this work. My skin
name is Belinj, and my country is Bolkjam. My dreaming is Namorrodo.
6. Mandjabu (fish trap)
"This is Mandjabu. People used to put in the water, and all the fish would go inside. They’d leave it for one week, and take it out and it would be filled with fish. I used to see my dad doing that painting, and one day I got a little piece of paper from school,
and did that little drawing."
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 106cm x 76cm (unframed), 122 x 91cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1893-24
ARTIST
Sandra Richards is the second eldest daughter of the acclaimed artist, songman, and cultural leader Jack Nawilil. She resides at her outstation, Bolkdjam, year-round, raising the next generation to be culturally strong. Sandra has learnt art making under the tutelage of her father, mastering the art of bark painting and depicting Balngarra clan totems Mannarlinj (Bush potato), Kunkarninj (Digging stick) and Kunkarlewobe (Freshwater fish trap)
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
3. Mandjabu (Fishtrap)
"This artwork is all the fish and turtle going inside the fishtrap. They went in and they couldn’t go out. The bottom of the fishtrap is blocked. There’s a hole where they go in. The fishtrap I have painted was sitting in the water long time, and the little seaweed came in. I’ve painted saratoga, barramundi, and lots of little fish, nail fish, long neck turtle and short neck turtle. Theres a little log that the turtles are going inside, and there’s crayfish and prawn, and leeches on the side. All the different fish going inside. We take it out and cook them all on the fire. We eat all the fish, and the short neck and long neck turtle too. This is our ‘safety net’. If we can’t get fish on a line, we go and get this mandjabu."
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 106 x 76cm (unframed), 120 x 910cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1836-24
ARTIST
Sandra Richards is the second eldest daughter of the acclaimed artist, songman, and cultural leader Jack Nawilil. She resides at her outstation, Bolkdjam, year-round, raising the next generation to be culturally strong. Sandra has learnt art making under the tutelage of her father, mastering the art of bark painting and depicting Balngarra clan totems Mannarlinj (Bush potato), Kunkarninj (Digging stick) and Kunkarlewobe (Freshwater fish trap)
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
4. Kunkaninj (Digging Stick)
"Kunkaninj (digging stick) is used to dig for yams and for finding long-neck turtles, but is also an important Duwa moiety totemic ancestor. It shares the same songline as barlangu (shark) and wankurr (sacred Mardayin ceremonial dilly bag). Kunkarninj are
the digging sticks that created the fresh water billabong known as Kœnœdjangka. Associated with this site are a small beetle called Nyork nyrok and fresh water weed Narrang Narrang with a small leaf and larger leaf variety."
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 57 x 38cm (unframed), 68 x 48cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1850-24
ARTIST
Sandra Richards is the second eldest daughter of the acclaimed artist, songman, and cultural leader Jack Nawilil. She resides at her outstation, Bolkdjam, year-round, raising the next generation to be culturally strong. Sandra has learnt art making under the tutelage of her father, mastering the art of bark painting and depicting Balngarra clan totems Mannarlinj (Bush potato), Kunkarninj (Digging stick) and Kunkarlewobe (Freshwater fish trap)
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
5. Man-ngalinj (bush potato)
"Man-ngalinj is a root vegetable often described as ‘bush potato’. It is duwa, Sandra's moiety. It has a bulbous root and a long thin vine with small flowers, that grows across the ground or up the trunks of nearby trees. Large crops can be found near her outstation, Bolkdjam. Man-ngalinj are harvested after the wet season has finished, in the early Dry."
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 50 x 35cm (unframed), 68 x 48cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1851-24
ARTIST
Sandra Richards is the second eldest daughter of the acclaimed artist, songman, and cultural leader Jack Nawilil. She resides at her outstation, Bolkdjam, year-round, raising the next generation to be culturally strong. Sandra has learnt art making under the tutelage of her father, mastering the art of bark painting and depicting Balngarra clan totems Mannarlinj (Bush potato), Kunkarninj (Digging stick) and Kunkarlewobe (Freshwater fish trap)
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
Melba Gunjarrwanga
My name is Melba. My skin name is Ngarridjdjan. I grew up in Maningrida until I was 17; at 18 I moved to Barrihdjowkkeng, a homeland, and my parents and partner taught me to paint, with rarrk. I moved to Mumeka wth my partner (James Iyuna), and we were painting barks, hollow logs, carving. And I know everything. Because I’m an artist.
11. Lorrkkon and Djulng
"Long time ago, when our people made lorrkkon, we put bones inside the lorrkkon. I’ve painted rib bones, foot bones, leg bones, scapular and elbow bones. A long time ago, then our people would die, we would put the bones in hollow logs. But now, no longer we do this. I painted this picture with rarrk, in the old times some people would paint lorrkkon with rarrkwe (cross-hatching designs) and dilmeh (small dotted marks)."
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 77 x 57cm (unframed), 86 x 66.5cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1831-24
ARTIST
Kuninjku artist, Melba Gunjarrwanga, was born in 1959 at Maningrida in the Northern Territory. Melba is a skilled printmaker, sculptor, weaver and bark painter represented by both the Bábbarra Women’s Centre and Maningrida Arts and Culture. Over the last decade, Melba has taken part in multiple group exhibition across Australia and the world and her works have been presented by Maningrida Arts and Culture and within their collective shows. Her work is also held in the collections of Art Gallery of Western Australia, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Victoria and National Gallery of Australia and The Australian National University Collection. Melba has also featured as one of the emerging artists in a group exhibition, Báb-barra: Women’s Printing Culture at The Cross Art Projects (2017)
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
14. Ngalyod
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 77 x 57cm (unframed)
- Cat No. 1834-24
ARTIST
Kuninjku artist, Melba Gunjarrwanga, was born in 1959 at Maningrida in the Northern Territory. Melba is a skilled printmaker, sculptor, weaver and bark painter represented by both the Bábbarra Women’s Centre and Maningrida Arts and Culture. Over the last decade, Melba has taken part in multiple group exhibition across Australia and the world and her works have been presented by Maningrida Arts and Culture and within their collective shows. Her work is also held in the collections of Art Gallery of Western Australia, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Victoria and National Gallery of Australia and The Australian National University Collection. Melba has also featured as one of the emerging artists in a group exhibition, Báb-barra: Women’s Printing Culture at The Cross Art Projects (2017)ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise. Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled. Acclaimed senior artists including John Mawurndjul, brothers Owen Yalandja and Crusoe Kurddal, Bob Burruwal, Lena Yarinkura and Laurie Marbaduk continue to expand their mediums and narratives. Artists such as Paul Nabulumo, Samson Bonson, Anniebelle Marrngamarrnga, Samuel Namundja, Kay Lindjuwanga and Fiona Jin-majinggal have emerged to become a formidable force in the national and international landscape. They sit alongside the leading proponents of a fibre sculpture movement. Frewa Bardaluna, Helen Stewart, Vera Cameron, Lorna Jin-gubarrangunyja, Freda Wayartja Ali, Bonnie Burarn.garra and Doreen Jinggarrabarra are a group of mostly female artists who reinterpret functional forms using natural fibres to create highly sought-after pieces across the fine art and interior design sectors.
15. Wak Wak
"My name is Melba. My skin name is Ngarridjdjan. I grew up in Maningrida until I was 17; at 18 I moved to Barrihdjowkkeng, a homeland, and my parents and partner taught me
to paint, with rarrk. I moved to Mumeka wth my partner (James Iyuna), and we were painting barks, hollow logs, carving. And I know everything. Because I’m an artist.
This is two black crows, baby and mother, there are living in the waterhole there, near to Kurrurldul. It’s a dream, longtime, but it’s still there. We call the crow Wak." - Melba Gunjarrwanga
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 77 x 57cm (unframed), 70 x 50.5cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1891-24
ARTIST
Kuninjku artist, Melba Gunjarrwanga, was born in 1959 at Maningrida in the Northern Territory. Melba is a skilled printmaker, sculptor, weaver and bark painter represented by both the Bábbarra Women’s Centre and Maningrida Arts and Culture. Over the last decade, Melba has taken part in multiple group exhibition across Australia and the world and her works have been presented by Maningrida Arts and Culture and within their collective shows. Her work is also held in the collections of Art Gallery of Western Australia, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Victoria and National Gallery of Australia and The Australian National University Collection. Melba has also featured as one of the emerging artists in a group exhibition, Báb-barra: Women’s Printing Culture at The Cross Art Projects (2017)
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
12. Kun-madj (Dilly Bag)
"I painted this dillybag. This dillybag is for bush tucker. We collect yams using that digging stick. We used dillybags a long time ago, our old people. They would carry the dillybags with yams and fish and bush tucker inside. We dug up those bush foods. We used that sedge grass brush to make the lines (rarrk)."
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 77 x 57cm (unframed), 93 x 74cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1832-24
ARTIST
Kuninjku artist, Melba Gunjarrwanga, was born in 1959 at Maningrida in the Northern Territory. Melba is a skilled printmaker, sculptor, weaver and bark painter represented by both the Bábbarra Women’s Centre and Maningrida Arts and Culture. Over the last decade, Melba has taken part in multiple group exhibition across Australia and the world and her works have been presented by Maningrida Arts and Culture and within their collective shows. Her work is also held in the collections of Art Gallery of Western Australia, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Victoria and National Gallery of Australia and The Australian National University Collection. Melba has also featured as one of the emerging artists in a group exhibition, Báb-barra: Women’s Printing Culture at The Cross Art Projects (2017)
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
13. Buluwana
"Buluwana is a good spirit woman living at Ngandarrayo, close to Yikarrakkal. I’ve painted her with karrbarda (long yam) and dillybags. When Buluwana would go hunting, she’d collect bush foods, she’d walk and look for yams. She’s a very old lady. She’d carry her big dillybag on her forehead. My husband would paint her too. She just rests in the rock nowadays."
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 77 x 57cm (unframed), 930 x 74cm (framed)
- Cat No. 1833-24
ARTIST
Kuninjku artist, Melba Gunjarrwanga, was born in 1959 at Maningrida in the Northern Territory. Melba is a skilled printmaker, sculptor, weaver and bark painter represented by both the Bábbarra Women’s Centre and Maningrida Arts and Culture. Over the last decade, Melba has taken part in multiple group exhibition across Australia and the world and her works have been presented by Maningrida Arts and Culture and within their collective shows. Her work is also held in the collections of Art Gallery of Western Australia, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Victoria and National Gallery of Australia and The Australian National University Collection. Melba has also featured as one of the emerging artists in a group exhibition, Báb-barra: Women’s Printing Culture at The Cross Art Projects (2017)
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
Apphia Wurrkidj
My name is Apphia. My skin name is Kamanj. My country is Mumeka, and my dreaming is Wamudjdjan/Buluwana.
I’ve painted this - I’ve painted rib bones, skulls, leg bones, thigh bones, shin bones. Man-ngalinj (bush potato) is the bush food I’ve painted, also manyawok (cheeky yam). In the middle I’ve painted billabongs. We call it Wak Wak.
1. Wak wak
"I’ve painted this - I’ve painted rib bones, skulls, leg bones, thigh bones, shin bones.
Man-ngalinj (bush potato) is the bush food I’ve painted, also manyawok (cheeky yam). In the middle I’ve painted billabongs. We call it Wak Wak."
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 66 x 59cm (unframed)
- Cat No. 1847-24
ARTIST
Apphia Wurrkidj learned to paint in the Mumeka style from her father James Iyuna (dec) and mother Melba Gunjarrwanga. She is part of the next generation who continue to produce the strong geometric rarrk that represents key Djang* sites on their clan lands. Common subjects of her work include the Dilebang (Waterhole) site, Wak Wak (Black Crow) at Kurrurldul and Ngalyod (Rainbow Serpent). The intensity of her compositions and fine linework make her works stand out from those of her peers. 'The eternal and life-giving transformative power that accounts for every aspect of existence.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
2. Djulng
"I’ve painted this - I’ve painted rib bones, skulls, leg bones, thigh bones, shin bones.
Man-ngalinj (bush potato) is the bush food I’ve painted, also manyawok (cheeky yam). In the middle I’ve painted billabongs. We call it Wak Wak."
DETAILS
- Ochre and Ink on Arches Paper
- Dimensions: 30 x 42cm (unframed)
- Cat No. 1848-24
ARTIST
Apphia Wurrkidj learned to paint in the Mumeka style from her father James Iyuna (dec) and mother Melba Gunjarrwanga. She is part of the next generation who continue to produce the strong geometric rarrk that represents key Djang* sites on their clan lands. Common subjects of her work include the Dilebang (Waterhole) site, Wak Wak (Black Crow) at Kurrurldul and Ngalyod (Rainbow Serpent). The intensity of her compositions and fine linework make her works stand out from those of her peers. 'The eternal and life-giving transformative power that accounts for every aspect of existence.
ART CENTRE
Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making, abundant with highly collectable art and emerging talent. Through their homelands resource organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, artists turned an art trade that began just over 50 years ago into a multi-million dollar arts and cultural enterprise.
Maningrida Arts & Culture supported hundreds of artists on their homelands, more than 20 artworkers, held 20 exhibitions annually, won prestigious awards, and enjoyed the international fame and success that the boom in the Aboriginal art market of the 1990s and 2000s enabled.
""I’m don’t think of myself as a perfect women or an artist, no! I’m just painting. Sometimes, I save money for my grandkids because they like to eat. I get fruit and meat from the shop."
Lucy Yarawanga
