Naminapu Maymuru-White: Milngiyawuy, The River of Heaven and Earth

Overview

Yirrkala artist Naminapu Maymuru-White has brought her captivating style of painting and love of the arts to her first solo exhibition since 2007. Coming from a strong family of Yolŋu artists, Maymuru-White has made waves for decades by presenting the artistic methods of the Yirrkala community while carving out her own way of expressing herself.

Now open at free Zetland gallery Sullivan+Strumpf, Milngiyawuy—The River of Heaven and Earth unveils a significant body of work from Maymuru-White featuring 26 individual pieces taking up both floors of the exhibition space. Included in the exhibition are larrakitj (memorial poles), bark paintings and the acclaimed artist's largest work to date, spanning 2.5 square metres.

The pieces displayed tell stories of the Milky Way and its spirits. The stars in the works represent souls of two Guwak men and Maymuru-White's ancestors past, present and future.

Milngiyawuy, The River of Heaven and Earth is running until Saturday, March 12 and entry is free. The Sullivan+ Stumpf gallery is open 10am–5pm Tuesday–Saturday. If you can't make it to the gallery, you can also view the exhibition on the gallery's website.

Top image courtesy the artist, Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, Yirrkala and Sullivan + Strumpf