From the Hearts and Hands of Yolŋu Artists
Among the white-painted walls of the stringybark trees lies Garma’s spectacular Gapan Gallery, a celebration of Yolŋu art.
Gapan Gallery opening night (2014)Yothu Yindi Foundation
Where the ancient meets the contemporary.
Set among a grove of stringy-bark trees, the Gapan Gallery is an open-air art gallery exhibiting works by new and established artists from the renowned Buku Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre in Yirrkala.
'Gapan' is the natural white clay painted on the stringybark trees which act as the walls for this beautiful exhibition.
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Yolŋu art is widely admired around Australia and the world, and is a fundamental expression of identity and culture.
Hand painting (2022) by Jeanie GovanYothu Yindi Foundation
Distinctive techniques such as cross-hatching (known in Yolŋu as rarrk) and the use of bark in place of canvas demonstrate the exquisite skills of Yolŋu painters.
Hand painting (2022) by Leicolhn McKellarYothu Yindi Foundation
Gapan Gallery exhibition view during the day (2022) by Leicolhn McKellarYothu Yindi Foundation
Although many paintings depict sacred designs or stories, artists also produce cutting-edge contemporary pieces, or blend traditional and modern styles.
Gapan Gallery exhibition view at night (2015) by Peter EveYothu Yindi Foundation
Basket weaving (2018) by Teagan GlenaneYothu Yindi Foundation
Many Yolŋu women create stunning baskets...
Baskets, mats, jewellery, dilly bags and wall-hangings (2022) by Jeanie GovanYothu Yindi Foundation
...mats, and dilly bags by using raw fibres collected from the bush..
Pandanus for basket weaving (2019) by Teagan GlenaneYothu Yindi Foundation
...dyeing them and weaving them using methods passed down from mother to daughter over many generations.
The Gapan Gallery (2022) by Butter Media Pty LtdYothu Yindi Foundation
🎬 Be part of the Gapan Gallery opening night
