Journey to America: Aboriginal Bark Paintings Arrive in NYC
Maḏayin: Eight Decades of Aboriginal Australian Bark Painting from Yirrkala, an exhibition showcasing intricate eucalyptus bark paintings, has reached its final stop at the Asia Society in New York City. This captivating collection, translating to "sacred and beautiful" in Yolŋu Matha, features the work of artists from Yirrkala, an Indigenous community in Australia's Northern Territory.
The exhibition offers a glimpse into the worldviews and stories of the Yolŋu people, conveyed through vibrant patterns and designs rendered in black, white, yellow, and red pigments found in clay.
<figure> <img src="https://i0.wp.com/hyperallergic-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/09/DSC_0715.jpg?fit=1200%2C795&quality=95&ssl=1" alt="Yolŋu filmmaker Ishmael Marika stands in "Gapu Muŋurru ga Baḻamumu Mirikindi (Deep Waters of the Dhuwa and Yirritja Moieties)" (2022) at the Upper East Side's Asia Society"> <figcaption>Yolŋu filmmaker Ishmael Marika stands in "Gapu Muŋurru ga Baḻamumu Mirikindi (Deep Waters of the Dhuwa and Yirritja Moieties)" (2022) at the Upper East Side's Asia Society</figcaption> </figure>The exhibition includes sacred "miny’tji" (clan designs) that reveal the unique cultural heritage of the two Yolŋu moeties (kinship groups), Dhuwa and Yirritja. The show, curated by the Yolŋu artists themselves and the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection at the University of Virginia, also features 33 new works commissioned specifically for the tour.
<figure> <img src="https://i0.wp.com/hyperallergic-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/09/DSC_0743-1200x1812.jpg?resize=780%2C1178&quality=95&ssl=1" alt="Djambawa Marawili’s 2019 eucalyptus bark painting “Americalili Marrtji (Journey to America)” (2019)"> <figcaption>Djambawa Marawili’s 2019 eucalyptus bark painting “Americalili Marrtji (Journey to America)” (2019)</figcaption> </figure>A Legacy of Storytelling
These bark paintings are not just art; they are a powerful form of storytelling that has been passed down for generations. Yolŋu artist Yinimala Gumana explains, "Our great-great-great-grandfathers told my grandfathers’ fathers until they passed it on to us. We still got that history: the message they’ve been told from the very beginning."
Gunbi Ganambarr, another artist, incorporates sand from the coastal site of Garrapara into his piece, reflecting the historical significance of the location for the Dhaḻwaŋu moiety. The intricate patterns represent a song that takes hours to sing, and the top of the painting features a carving of the exact outline of the Garrapara coastline.
<figure> <img src="https://i0.wp.com/hyperallergic-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/09/DSC_0726-1200x1812.jpg?resize=780%2C1178&quality=95&ssl=1" alt="Ganambarr stands in front of “Garrapara” (2018)"> <figcaption>Ganambarr stands in front of “Garrapara” (2018)</figcaption> </figure>Connecting Past and Present
The exhibition features not just static paintings but also multi-media installations that bring the Yolŋu culture to life. Yolŋu filmmaker Ishmael Marika's installations, created with his production company, the Mulka Project, incorporate video recordings of song and dance, overlaying them with sounds of ocean currents to create immersive experiences.
One such installation, "Gapu Muŋurru ga Baḻamumu Mirikindi (Deep Waters of the Dhuwa and Yirritja Moieties)", combines visual art with sound to showcase the Yolŋu connection to their land and sea. It's a powerful reminder that art is not just about aesthetics but also about preserving and sharing cultural knowledge.
<figure> <img src="https://i0.wp.com/hyperallergic-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/09/DSC_0711-1200x795.jpg?resize=780%2C517&quality=95&ssl=1" alt="Inside Marika’s installation “Gapu Muŋurru ga Baḻamumu Mirikindi (Deep Waters of the Dhuwa and Yirritja Moieties)” (2022)"> <figcaption>Inside Marika’s installation “Gapu Muŋurru ga Baḻamumu Mirikindi (Deep Waters of the Dhuwa and Yirritja Moieties)” (2022)</figcaption> </figure>More Than Just Art
Maḏayin is more than just an exhibition of beautiful art; it's a testament to the resilience and enduring spirit of the Yolŋu people. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and sharing it with the world. The exhibition invites viewers to engage with a different culture, to learn about a history that is often overlooked, and to appreciate the profound connection between art and storytelling.
Don't miss this opportunity to experience the beauty and cultural richness of the Yolŋu people at the Asia Society, where Maḏayin will be on view through January 5, 2025.
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