Footsteps on Blue Mud Bay
Baniyala is the home of the Yithuwa Madarrpa people at Blue Mud Bay in Eastern Arnhem Land. In October 2009 Nomad Art Productions invited a group of artists from around Australia to take part in a cross-cultural exchange at a two way learning centre recently established at the community.
Yolgnu artists Djambawa Marawilli, Marrerra Marawili, Liyawaday Marawili, Marrnyula Munungurr and Mulkun Wirrpanda participated in the printmaking workshop with printmaker Basil Hall. They worked alongside visiting artists, Fiona Hall, John Wolseley, Jorg Schmeisser and Judy Watson and were accompanied by ethno-biologist Glenn Wightman, anthropologist Howard Morphy and photographer Peter Eve. Together they camped, cooked, walked the country, shared stories and made art.
The artists made trips to country visiting ancestral sites and sharing traditional and scientific knowledge. At night the group watched archival films depicting Yolgnu culture and looked at images of each other’s work. Around the campfire they discussed culture, history, sea rights and events.
In response each artist depicted the experience in their own way, thinking, observing, photographing and drawing one of the most pristine and culturally significant places in Australia.
Printmaker Basil Hall set up a temporary printmaking studio and images were translated onto zinc plates. The project will culminate in a selection of limited edition etchings which will be launched at the 2010 Darwin Festival.
Our thanks to the Sidney Myer Foundation, NT Research and Innovation Board, Arts NT, Australia Council for the Arts, Buku Larrnggay Mulka, Basil Hall Editions, the ANU Research School of Humanities, NRETAS, Stepwise, Indigenous Economic Development and the wonderful generosity and hospitality of Djambawa Marawili and the Baniyala Community.
The next stage involves the development of the print editions, a catalogue education material and exhibition.
Image above: Liyawaday Marawili working on her print
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Image: Welcoming ceremony given by community members at Yilpara |
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Image: Sitting Under the Knowledge Tree with Community Elder Djambawa Marawili |
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Image: Marrnyula Munungurr and Mulkun Wirrpanda at the print workshop at Yilpara |
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Image: Artists John Wolseley, Jorg Schmeisser and Fiona Hall, with printer Mats Unden (back) at Basil Hall Editions in Darwin |
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Image: Artists in the bush with Dhimurru Rangers |
