Naminapu Maymuru-White, Milŋiyawuy, The River of Heaven and Earth, exhibition detail, larrakitj, 2021, Sullivan+Strumpf Sydney. Photography: Mark Pokorny. Courtesy: the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf, Sydney.

One of the acclaimed “Bark Ladies” from the Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre in Northeast Arnhem Land, currently the focus of a major exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria (December 17, 2021 – 25 April 2022), Naminapu Maymuru- White (born 1952), began painting at the age of 12, and almost 60 years later continues to inspire, with her latest presentation.

Taught by her father, Nänyin Maymuru, and uncle, Narritjin Maymuru, two of the giants of Yolŋu art from the golden era in the late 1950s to 1970s, Naminapu was one of the first Yolŋu women to paint miny’tji (sacred creation clan designs); later diversifying her practice to include painting, carving, screen-printing, weaving, linocuts and batik work.

Across an extended career, she has exhibited widely and won numerous awards, including two Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards: in 1996 for her limited-edition lino print triptych Nyapilingu; and in 2005 for one of her larrakitj memorial poles.

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