AGNSW, Yirrkala Drawings

Art Gallery of New South Wales
12 Dec 2013 – 23 Feb 2014

Yirrkala drawings from the Berndt Museum of Anthropology, University of Western Australia

Mowarra Ganambarr Dätiwuy Thunderman and shark site at Arnhem Bay 1947, lumber crayon and chalk on butchers paper, Ronald M Berndt Collection; Nyapanyapa Yunupingu Larrakitj 2013, Art Gallery of New South Wales Collection; Mundukul Marawili Fish trap at Baraltja 1947, lumber crayon on butchers paper, Ronald M Berndt Collection

In 1947, senior ceremonial leaders at Yirrkala in north-east Arnhem Land produced hundreds of vibrant crayon drawings on paper for the anthropologists Ronald and Catherine Berndt, which are now held at the Berndt Museum of Anthropology at the University of Western Australia.

This exhibition presents 81 drawings and is the first time that a significant selection of the Yirrkala drawings collection has been displayed. In an unexpected palette of brilliant red, blue, yellow, green and black, these works are stunning in their visual strength and impact. They depict in exquisite detail the complexities of Yolngu life and are an unrivalled document of Yolngu knowledge and law, representing what can be accomplished through collaboration, mutal respect and understanding.

The 81 Yirrkala drawings will tour to Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane from 12 April – 19 July 2014

On view
12 Dec 2013 – 23 Feb 2014
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney

Admission
Free