John Mawurndjul AM is celebrated for his mastery of rarrk (fine-painted cross-hatching), a tradition shared by generations of Kuninjku artists. This exhibition of bark paintings and sculptures, by one of Australia’s most groundbreaking contemporary artists, tells the stories of Kuninjku culture and the significant locations surrounding the artist’s home in western Arnhem Land. The artist has led the development of this exhibition which describes (in both Kuninjku and English) his places of special cultural significance known as kunred, as well as the sacred places and spirits – or Djang – that resurface time and time again in his art-making.
Exhibition organised and toured by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, supported by Red Energy. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program.
Image credit: John Mawurndjul, Ngalyod (detail), 2012, earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta), Museum of Contemporary Art, purchased with funds provided by the MCA Foundation, 2015 © John Mawurndjul / Copyright Agency, 2019, photograph: Jessica Maurer.
Sponsored by Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Red Energy, and Australian Government Visions of Australia.
