Djalkiri: We are standing on their names, Blue Mud Bay

Under the Knowledge Tree with Djambawa Marawili. The concept for this project came about in 2009, during the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin with its evolutionary focus on relationships between animal species. Charles Darwin demonstrated that all species of life have evolved from common ancestors. His evolutionary theory of natural selection forms the foundation of modern biology and an explanation for Western understandings of the diversity of life.

The Yithuwa Madarrpa people have a different perception. Yolngu belief and knowledge is contained within songs, stories, ritual and art. Paintings are conceptual maps depicting living things and earthly elements. All have meaning and are based on complex structures of knowledge and relationships. This is expressed through the Djalkiri, literally meaning foot or footprints, but when applied to Yolngu law it takes on a more profound meaning referring to the underlying ‘foundation of the world’.

Under the Knowledge Tree with Djambawa Marawili. The objective of this project was to bring a group of artists, scientists and print makers together in a cross-cultural, cross-disciplinary, creative exchange. To juxtapose Western scientific view-points and knowledge with the holistic perspective of Yolngu people.

At times, as the project developed, the notion seemed assuming and even presumptuous, and yet in the end it was an experience the participants will never forget.

The title, Djalkiri: We are standing on their names, Blue Mud Bay are words spoken by Djambawa Marawili. It is an acknowledgement of cultural inheritance based on understanding and mutual respect. It is about walking together in the footsteps of the ancestors.

Angus Cameron 2010, Nomad Art Productions

Image top right: Under the Knowledge Tree with Djambawa Marawili.

Image left: Master print maker Basil Hall and Liyawaday Wirrpanda during the print workshop at Baniyala. Photo by Jorg Schmeisser.

Download a PDF Catalogue of the Folio (2.4MB) >>

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Touring Dates

Venue	State	Opening date	Closing Date
Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre , Tennant Creek	NT	27 May 2011	24 June 2011
Botanic Gardens, Adelaide	SA	13 Aug 2011	Nov 2011
Latrobe Regional Gallery, Morwell	VIC	19 Nov 2011 TBC	22 Jan 2012 TBC
Exhibition available
Exhibition available
Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo	NSW	30 June 2012	12 Aug 2012
Geelong Art Gallery , Geelong	VIC	24 Nov 2012	10 Feb 2013
UQ Art Museum, Brisbane	QLD	13 April 2013	23 June 2013
Burnie Regional Gallery, Burnie	TAS	13 July 2013	25 Aug 2013
Exhibition available		5 Sept 2013	27Oct 2013

This exhibition is available to other venues within the planned exhibition program above. Please contact Art Back NT

EDUCATION KIT

Introduction

The Djalkiri Education Kit is a downloadable resource available online as PDF files to print as required. The Education Kit has been designed for students from upper primary to year 12 students and beyond to appreciate and enjoy the Djalkiri exhibition. The Education Kit presents pre and post visit activities and information appropriate to specific age levels, experience and abilities and can be developed as, or incorporated into a unit of work.

The Djalkiri Education Kit provides a range of enjoyable learning activities and background information for teachers. Activities and information can be downloaded in the following sections:

Project Notes (Download the PDF 3.6MB)

Background to the project, people and place

School Activities (Download the PDF)

Pre-visit activities
Post-visit activities

Upper Primary / Secondary (Download the PDF)

Visiting the exhibition

Upper Secondary (Download the PDF)

Visiting the exhibition

Photos from the workshop


Waka Mununggurr at the site of the sand sculpture of the ancestral stingray Lulumu.		Glenn Wightman with Mulkan Wirrpanda and Marrnyula Mununggurr.


Welcoming ceremony at Baniyala.		Day one - orientation with Howard Morphy.


Exploring the Yilpara flood plain with the Laynhapuy Rangers.		At the memorial site with community elders Djambawa and Marrirra Marawil.


The sea rights flag marking the low water mark at Yilpara.		Jorg Schmeisser with print maker Mats Unden back at Basil Hall Editions in Darwin.

Acknowledgements

On behalf of the participants we acknowledge the Yithuwa Madarrpa Traditional Owners of the Baniyala region. Congratulations to the artists for their enthusiastic participation in this project. Thank you to Djambawa Marawili and the people of Baniyala for hosting the group, Glenn Wightman for his bush knowledge and guidance, Professor Howard Morphy for his enthusiasm, knowledge and support, Will Stubbs, Dianne and Andrew Blake for opening the door to an extraordinary experience and their invaluable advice and facilitation, Basil Hall and Mats Unden for never ending patience, facilitating the workshops, proofing and editioning the prints and to Peter Eve for producing beautiful photographs and designing the catalogue.

Project funding

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through National Science Week, the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and the Northern Territory Government through the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts and the Research and Innovation Board & Fund.

We thank the following organisations for their generous support, The Gordon Darling Foundation, The Research School of Humanities and the Arts, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences and The Myer Foundation.