Organized by the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection

Dhambit Munuŋgurr | Ocean

Dhambit Munuŋgurr

Ocean, 2019

Bänhdharra

Clan

Gupa-Djapu’

" Blue is the color of gapu, of water. The earth is blue, the sky is blue and the sea is blue."

– DHAMBIT MUNUŊGURR

More Info



This is the first major bark painted using blue pigment. While the artists of Buku-Larrŋgay are generally restricted to using natural materials by edict of the elders, Dhambit Munuŋgurr has been allowed special accommodations following an accident that severely impacted her mobility.

In the center of the painting is the sacred rock Dhambit, after which the artist is named, standing strong against the ocean. Above it, ancestral Bapayili from Saibai Island and sailors from the port of Makassar in Sulawesi arrive by boat, and are met by Yolŋu of both Dhuwa and Yirritja clans.

The presence of three giant ŋarrpiya (octopus) indicates that these are the waters of the Warramiri clan. Ŋarrpiya’s ability to change colour reflects the Ocean's volatility.

In the center right, three brolga (Australian Cranes) paddle a canoe, representing the artist’s grandfather Woŋgu Munuŋgurr and her Djapu’ kin. At the base of the painting, Dhambit shows her French husband Tony, accompanied by nyapanyapa (ox-eye herring), fish associated with the artist's mother's Gumatj clan.


– Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre

Dhambit Mununggurr. Dhambit Mununggurr, Yirrkala, 2021. Photo by Leicolhn McKellar. Dhambit Mununggurr, Yirrkala, 2021. Photo by Leicolhn McKellar. Dhambit Mununggurr, Yirrkala, 2021. Photo by Leicolhn McKellar. Dhambit Mununggurr, Yirrkala, 2021. Photo by Leicolhn McKellar. Dhambit Mununggurr, Yirrkala, 2021. Photo by Leicolhn McKellar. Dhambit Mununggurr, Yirrkala, 2021. Photo by Leicolhn McKellar. Dhambit Mununggurr, Yirrkala, 2021. Photo by Leicolhn McKellar.

Additional Information

Decade

2019

Medium

Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark

Dimensions (IN)

78 11/32 x 42 17/32

Dimensions (CM)

199 x 108

Credit

Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia. The 2017-19 Kluge-Ruhe Maḏayin Commission. Purchased with funds provided by Roslyn and Tony Oxley. 2020.0007.001

Narrative

Gupa-Djapu’

The Gupa-Djapu’ clan is a Dhuwa clan. The most important spiritual themes of the Gupa-Djapu’...

View All Artworks >

Location

2010s

The 2010s saw Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka go from strength to strength. At the National Aboriginal and...

Learn About This Decade >

About The Artist(s)

Clan

Gupa-Djapu’

Artist Dates

Born 1968

Dhambit Munuŋgurr

Dhambit Munuŋgurr is the daughter of the artists Mutitjpuy Munuŋgurr and Gulumbu Yunupiŋu. In 2020, she was featured in the National Gallery of Victoria Triennial, and in 2021, she received the bark painting prize at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards.

Collections Represented

Artbank, Sydney

Art Gallery of Ballarat

Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia

National Gallery of Australia

National Gallery of Victoria

University of Melbourne