Workshops & Opening event - Barrku wanga

Join us for the opening event of Barrku wanga, as Platform Arts welcomes Bula’Bula Arts to Wadawurrung Country. This gathering will include artist demonstrations and workshops, followed by a Welcome to Wadawurrung Country in the gallery to begin official celebrations.

As part of Bula’Bula Arts’ exhibition Barrku wanga (Going to a faraway place), brothers Andrew and Steve Malibirr will be demonstrating the intricate rarrk technique used by the Yolngu people in the Northern Territory, particularly in Arnhem Land. In this technique, artists use the weight of the paint soaked in the fine brush to delicately produce fine, straight lines.

Traditionally, differing crosshatched layering of lines and shapes can give identity and ownership to specific Yolngu groups. As well as the pattern containing deep cultural significance, the patterns can represent wind, water, brilliance, energy, and power to ancestral designs.

The workshop will be hands-on, and audiences are encouraged to have a go and chat with Yolngu artists.  Stay for as long as you like! This is a drop-in session, with no registrations required.

Exhibiting artists: 

Dorothy Djampalil, Shannon Ashley, Peter Gambung, Evonne Gayuwrri, Joy Burruna, Evonne Rraraypum, Selena Munguluma, Joy Borruwa, Mary Dhapalany, Julie Djulibing Malibirr, Janice Djupuduwuy, Jenny Malibirr, Evonne Munuyngu, Margaret Djarrbalabal, Linda Dalparri, Cecily Mopbarrmbrr, Lisa Lalaywarra, Joy Gadawarr

“We are going to a faraway place to share with you artworks of deep ritual and spiritual significance to Yolngu (people). Barrku wanga (going to a faraway place) will contain meaningful artworks about sophisticated and complex social structures such as ceremonies, songs, language, creation beings, family and the Yolngu identity within, as well as the relationships between all things such as animals, plants, birds, trees, fish and water.”

For sales and enquiries, please contact curator@platformarts.org.au.