Djapu, 2019
Noŋgirrŋa Marawili, born 1939 at Darrpirra, north of Djarrakpi (Cape Shield). Lives and works in Yirrkala in north-east Arnhem Land
Yolŋu senior artist and Madarrpa elder Noŋgirrŋa Marawili is regarded as one of the most important and revered contemporary Australian artists working today. Her unique interpretations of the land and sea, as well as stories from her culture, come to life as she utilises natural materials from the earth such as natural ochres and pigments combined with a striking use of pink ink from recycled print toner cartridges, aligning with the art centre’s elders philosophy ‘if you paint the land you should use the land’.
The result is an explosion of bold, ethereal and highly sophisticated contemporary artworks, which consistently allude to her strong cultural and familial ties, whilst simultaneously revealing her own visceral experience and knowledge of the land and stories of north-east Arnhem Land.
Yolŋu senior artist and Madarrpa elder Noŋgirrŋa Marawili is regarded as one of the most important and revered contemporary Australian artists working today. Her unique interpretations of the land and sea, as well as stories from her culture, come to life as she utilises natural materials from the earth such as natural ochres and pigments combined with a striking use of pink ink from recycled print toner cartridges, aligning with the art centre’s elders philosophy ‘if you paint the land you should use the land’.
The result is an explosion of bold, ethereal and highly sophisticated contemporary artworks, which consistently allude to her strong cultural and familial ties, whilst simultaneously revealing her own visceral experience and knowledge of the land and stories of north-east Arnhem Land.
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