Owen Yalandja, Yawkyawk 03 (detail), 2023. Carved wooden sculpture and natural ochre, 155 x 30cm. Courtesy: the artist and Michael Reid Gallery, Sydney.

Yawkyawk is a small but very powerful new exhibition by senior Kuninjku artist Owen Yalandja. This is Yalandja’s second exhibition at Michael Reid Sydney this year and is the first to follow his award of the 2023 Telstra Award in the category of bark painting. This milestone achievement has positioned Yalandja as one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists. Owen Yalandja is revered for his exquisite carving and painting skills. Central to the exhibition is the Yawkyawk spirit, which are young female spirits that live in and around waterways.

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