Gathul’puy | Belonging to the Mangroves

Opening 14 December, Art Leven's final exhibition of 2024 Gathul’puy – Belonging to the Mangroves showcases the works of Munhala Dhamarrandji and Muluymuluy Wirrpanda from Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre in Northeast Arnhem Land.

Drawing from their ancestral landscapes and daily connection to Country, the artists weave stories of Arnhem Land’s ecosystems, traditions, and identity into each intricate painting.

“Muluymuluy and Manhala are two very different artists. But there is a synergy between their work. They are both inspired and informed by a lifetime of intimacy with the land. The fluidity and instinctive organic feel flows from this...

“Imagine if your day to day ‘job’ was not a commute to an office but a journey to the mangroves, jungle or beach to winkle your daily sustenance from the earth. This moulds you to a certain hyperawareness of the shapes and forms of nature. Because without this heightened sense you cannot unlock the necessary nutrition required by your family."

Gathul'puy – Belonging to the Mangroves offers a profound glimpse into Yolŋu culture through the works of Munhala Dhamarrandji and Muluymuluy Wirrpanda. Art Leven is proud to present this exhibition, a celebration of Yolŋu heritage and the enduring bond between land, knowledge, and creativity.