We are pleased to present a new suite of ochre paintings by Aboriginal artists from Warmun Art Centre in Western Australia, alongside two new bark paintings and two Larrakitj from Buku-Larrnggay Mulka (Buku) in Yirrkala, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.
The Gija artists at Warmun have built an international reputation for their rich velvety paintings made using hand-crushed natural pigments and charcoal from their lands in the East Kimberley. Each work is created from an array of earth pigments and ochres applied to canvas, and each draws upon traditional Ngarranggarni (creation stories) alongside aspects of contemporary life.
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka in Yirrkala, NT takes its name from Yolŋu Matha (the language of the Yolŋu people). Translated into English, ‘Buku-Larrnggay’ means ‘the feeling on your face as it is struck by the first rays of the sun’, while ‘Mulka’ refers to ‘a sacred but public ceremony’.
Yolŋu artists are known for their mastery of the medium of bark – harvested in sheets from Stringybark trees during the wet season – as well as for their tradition of Larrakitj (memorial poles) which are made by painting logs that have been hollowed out by termites.
Used as burial poles, Larrakitj would traditionally be painted with designs belonging to the deceased (whose bones were placed inside) before being installed in the landscape to be worn away by sun, wind, rain and fire. These powerful objects, once intended for mourning ceremonies, are now produced as a significant contemporary art form.
The Larrakitj by Manini Gumana in our exhibition have been painted with a wave-like pattern of earth pigments and ochres. This design is echoed in Gumana’s painting on bark and is a reference to the saltwater currents surrounding the Djalma Bay peninsula of her Country. The cross-hatched grids in the painting by Muluymuluy Wirrpanda describe the freshwater springs of Yalata (the artist’s country) and its mudflats scored by the tracks of the Brolga, the Australian Crane.
Artists at the Warmun and Buku Art Centres use earth pigments and ochre on canvas and bark to create artworks of depth, beauty, and velvety complexity. Their work is rarely seen in Aotearoa New Zealand. We hope you will be able to visit.
Photography by Kallan MacLeod
Warmun and Buku-Larrngay Mulka Artists
OCHRE & BARK
2022
installation view
SADE CARRINGTON
Ngarrgooroon Country
2021
Natural ochre and pigment on canvas
900mm H x 900mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
Warmun and Buku-Larrngay Mulka Artists
OCHRE & BARK
2022
installation view
SHIRLEY PURDIE
Gija Skin Groups
2021
natural ochre and pigment on canvas
300mm H x 900mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
SHIRLEY PURDIE
Gija Skin Groups
2021
natural ochre and pigment on canvas
300mm H x 900mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
MULUYMULUY WIRRPANDA
MULUYMULUY WIRRPANDA, Yalata
2021
ochre and earth pigments on bark
840mm H x 450mm W
MANINI GUMANA
MANINI GUMANA, Garrapara
2021
ochre and earth pigments on bark
620mm H x 300mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
Warmun and Buku-Larrngay Mulka Artists
OCHRE & BARK
2022
installation view
Warmun and Buku-Larrngay Mulka Artists
OCHRE & BARK
2022
installation view
Warmun and Buku-Larrngay Mulka Artists
OCHRE & BARK
2022
installation view
TRACEY RAMSAY
Gorge Yard
2021
Natural ochre and pigment on canvas
1200mm H x 1000mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
MANINI GUMANA
Garrapara
2019
earth pigments on Stringybark
1970mm H x 190mm D
MANINI GUMANA
Garrapara
2019
earth pigments on Stringybark
1870mm H x 210mm D
Warmun and Buku-Larrngay Mulka Artists
OCHRE & BARK
2022
installation view
Warmun and Buku-Larrngay Mulka Artists
OCHRE & BARK
2022
installation view
GABRIEL NODEA
Dreamtime Flashback, Kija Country – Ngarrangunti
2007
natural ochre and pigment on canvas
900mm H x 1200mm W
KATHY RAMSAY
Warlawoon Country
2021
natural ochre and pigment on canvas
800mm H x 800mm W
Warmun and Buku-Larrngay Mulka Artists
OCHRE & BARK
2022
installation view
MABEL JULI
Wiringgoon
2022
natural ochre and pigment on canvas
800mm H x 800mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
MABEL JULI
Wiringgoon (detail)
2022
natural ochre and pigment on canvas
800mm H x 800mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
MABEL JULI
Wiringgoon (detail)
2022
natural ochre and pigment on canvas
800mm H x 800mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
MABEL JULI
OCHRE & BARK
2022
installation view
MABEL JULI
Wiringgoon
2022
natural ochre and pigment on canvas
800mm H x 800mm W
MABEL JULI
Wiringgoon (detail)
2022
natural ochre and pigment on canvas
800mm H x 800mm W
MABEL JULI
Wiringgoon (detail)
2022
natural ochre and pigment on canvas
800mm H x 800mm W
Warmun and Buku-Larrngay Mulka Artists
OCHRE & BARK
2022
installation view
GORDON BARNEY
Birnoo Country
2021
Natural ochre and pigment on canvas
600mm H x 600mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
Warmun and Buku-Larrngay Mulka Artists
OCHRE & BARK
2022
installation view
DAVID COX
Dark Emu
2020
natural ochre and pigments on canvas
1000mm H x 1400mm W
PHYLLIS THOMAS
Gemerre
2013
natural ochre and pigments on canvas
1200mm H x 900mm W
Warmun and Buku-Larrngay Mulka Artists
OCHRE & BARK
2022
installation view
PEGGY PATRICK
Yingerrewoony (Whirlpool)
2015
natural ochre and pigment on canvas
450mm H x 450mm W
GORDON BARNEY
Birnoo Country
2021
natural ochre and pigment on canvas
1200mm H x 450mm W
DAVID COX
Sing Out Spring – Yiyili Country
2011
natural ochre and pigments on canvas
1200mm H x 450mm W
Warmun and Buku-Larrngay Mulka Artists
OCHRE & BARK
2022
installation view
Warmun and Buku-Larrngay Mulka Artists
OCHRE & BARK
2022
installation view