Kunwaral: Shadows Of Western Arnhem Land

Presented by Coconut Studios and Injalak Arts
Exhibition dates: 5–22 August 2021

Allan Nadjamerrek

Don Nakidilinj Namundja

Freddie Nadjawulu Nadjamerrek

Gavin Namarnyilk

Graham Badari

Joe Guymala

Kalarriya 'Jimmy' Namarnyilk

Lorraine Kabbindi White

Mary Nadjamerrek

Robert Namarnyilk

Roland Burrunali

Shaun Namarnyilk

On a country that is alive with spirits that can morph from rock engraving to a shadow on the edge of your vision or a sound in the bush – calling, leading you astray.

Kunwaral is the Kunwinjku word which translates a constellation of concepts: reflection, shadow, drawing, engraving and spirit. This definition gives insight into the associations of meanings in one of the world’s longest lasting creative traditions.

Mark-making is closely tied to manifesting characters from stories and country. The artists featured in this group show reflect their lives in western Arnhem Land in their works: manifestations of sacred and dangerous spirits who stalk the bush, plants and animals, creation ancestors who brought life and shaped the land and left sources of sustenance and living art practice.

Art made in western Arnhem Land is highly figurative and serves to illustrate and define oral-historical narratives. Together, the figures in these paintings represent a range of the rich stories that bind artists and country in a continuing cycle of life. Kawaraldi – a shadow/drawing is there, the spirit shadows reflected in the living landscape and the galleries of the vast stone country.