Yolŋu power : the art of Yirrkala
2025
Book
Yolnu power: the art of Yirrkala offers a comprehensive insight into a group of world-recognised and celebrated artists from Yirrkala and the development of an art movement whose contribution to Australian art - and, increasingly, international art - is profound. The art of Yirrkala is inextricably intertwined with its cultural, political and social history. For almost 100 years, artists from this small community in Northeast Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia have shared art as a means of cultural diplomacy - as a respectful assertion of power in its diverse forms, from sovereignty to influence, authority and control, to energy, strength and pride. Published in association with a major survey at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, Yolnu power features over 200 works from the 1940s to the present day. It considers the significant moments in Yirrkala's history when artists have consciously altered their practice, developed new styles or embraced new mediums. It also contextualises the work of individual artists within the broader school of artists from Yirrkala and surrounding Miwatj Country. An essay by the exhibition curator, Cara Pinchbeck, provides an overview of the various innovative art practices in Yirrkala, examining the influence of inheritance, family connections, and acts of diplomacy and activism. Maḏarrpa leader and artist Djambawa Mariwili discusses the nuances of speaking for Country (land, sea and sky) with the Aboriginal arts specialist Kade McDonald, and the coordinator at Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre in Yirrkala, Will Stubbs, writes on the power embodied in Yolnu art.
Main title:
Imprint:
Gadigal Country ; Sydney, NSW : Art Gallery of New South Wales, [2025]©2025
Collation:
274 pages : illustrations (chiefly colour) ; 28 cm
Notes:
Published in association with the exhibition Yolŋu power: the art of Yirrkala, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 21 June - 6 October 2025.Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN:
9781741741780 (hardback)
Dewey class:
704.039915094295759.994295704.0399
Language:
English
Added title:
Subject:
Art, Aboriginal Australian -- Northern Territory -- YirrkalaBark painting -- Northern Territory -- Yirrkala -- ExhibitionsSculpture, Aboriginal Australian -- Northern Territory -- Yirrkala -- CatalogsArt, Yolngu -- 20th century -- ExhibitionsArt, Yolngu -- 21st century -- ExhibitionsYirrkala (N.T.) -- History -- 20th centuryYirrkala (N.T.) -- History -- 21st centuryArt - Painting - BarkArt - Rock artArt - Crafts - Baskets and basketmakingArt - Crafts - WeavingArt - Sculpture - Carving - WoodArt - Body artYolngu people N230Arnhem Land (NT)Yirrkala (East Arnhem Land SD53-04)Exhibition catalogs
BRN:
492343