Nyapanyapa Yunupiŋu: Journey of the Stars

“And so, we are bound to share this last offering from her in the generous spirit with which it was made. In some ways the end of her journey as an artist. But her infinite eternal spiritual journey through the waters and the stars continues.” – Will Stubbs, 2022

In this posthumous exhibition, Ms. N Yunupiŋu's family and Buku Larrnggay Art Centre, together with Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, present over 20 unique works on bark, board, paper and found Perspex, in what is Ms. Yunupiŋu’s final offering in her career as an artist.

• Exhibition dates: 8 July – 6 August 2022⁠

• Opening reception: Friday, 8 July from 6-8pm ⁠

Following a lifetime of art making, Ms. N Yunupiŋu had an incredible career sharing her multi-faceted practice with the world within 12 solo exhibitions and over 30 group exhibitions. Her huge success culminated in the moment eternal, a popularly and critically acclaimed survey show at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), which remains the first and only solo exhibition of works by a female Aboriginal artist at the institution.

She was also the recipient of several prestigious art prizes throughout her career. In 2017, she was a finalist in the Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) and in 2021 she became the recipient of the award for 'the best landscape painting of Australian scenery’ with her bark painting Garak — night sky (2020). In 2017, she was awarded the Bark Painting Award at the 34th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) at the MAGNT. She was a finalist in this award in 2012 with her bark painting Djulpan (2012). In 2008, she made history at the NATSIAA when she won the Wandjuk Marika 3D Memorial Award with a bark painting and video work. The painting and video, entitled Gatapangawuy Dhawu – Buffalo Story, recounted an instance in 1975 where she was attacked by a water buffalo near her home in Arnhem Land. This presentation by Ms. Yunupiŋu became one of the first emergences of video work as a medium at NATSIAA.

Nyapanyapa Yunupiŋu has been represented by Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery since 2008. Journey of the Stars is her 11th solo exhibition with the gallery.

Please note that the family have authorised the use of Ms. N Yunupiŋu’s name in written form but request that it not be spoken aloud in the presence of people from Arnhem Land or in the Miwatj region. Her spirit has a long journey to go on to return to her origin point. Calling her name aloud could distract and delay her spirit’s return in a new form.