| The 17th Biennale of Sydney officially opened this week, and Alcaston Gallery is proud to announce Gulumbu Yunupingu as an exhibiting artist in the exhibition Larrakitj, Yolngu Artists held at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney. Here are some photographs taken by Beverly Knight at the opening event. |
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This, one of the most important collections of memorial poles, was assembled by Anne Brody for the Kerry Stokes Collection in Perth, Australia and includes 110 larrakitj by 41 Yolngu artists from North East Arnhem Land. Larrakitj have their origins in traditional Yolngu funeral rituals and were historically used as hollow log coffins painted with clan designs belonging to the deceased. With the advent of the missions, European-style coffin burials were introduced, and in more recent times the larrakitj have become sought after sculptures and grounds for artistic experimentation.
Renowned and prize-winning artists such as Gulumbu Yunupingu, Baluka Maymuru and Djambawa Marawili are joined by younger artists, such as Gunybi Ganambarr, who have introduced such techniques as incising and shaping barks to dramatic effect. Through the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre in Yirrkala, Northern Territory, larrakitj have been seen in contemporary art contexts while continuing to be used as expressions of sacred clan designs and in ceremony. The works in this collection range in date from 1998 to 2009.
Larrakitj, Yolngu Artists will be exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney as part of the 17th Biennale of Sydney from 12 May - 1 August 2010. |
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Artist Gulumbu Yunupingu at the opening event
Installation View of Larrakitj, Yolngu Artists
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