Gathering II

The focus of the exhibition Gathering II is on three female artists who paint three key foods from bush and sea. Munhala Dhamarrandji depicts Batjimurruŋu, a graceful Angled Ear Snail shell belonging to the Maypal group of edible foods; Merrikawuy #2 Munungurr depicts fields of dhatam or waterlily seed pods floating on sacred water; and Djirrirra Wununmurra paints yukuwa or yam, the sinuous plant that links Yolŋu clans.

A selection of works on paper by the renowned artists Marrnyula Munungurr, the late Ms Wirrpanda and Yalmakany Marawilli accompany the bark paintings and prints by the headline artists. All the artists except for Munhala Dhamarrandji, have shown previously at The Cross Art Projects making this a special seasonal gathering.

There are two different ways to read the works: the first way is a sacred one relying on dhulang or miny’tji — the sacred clan designs; and the other is secular and representational, often used for teaching and learning for Yolŋu families. The prints made at Yirrkala Print Workshop are usually secular. Yolŋu art is imagined and designed to inspire, as the recent exhibition Yolŋu Power made so brilliantly manifest. The artists in Gathering II use the Yolŋu colour scheme of red and yellow ochres, white and black to create a multitude of colour combinations held together by bold and strong definition, or delicate and reclusive designs, depending on the artist’s vision.