My story
2018

• Dhambit Munuŋgurr

Dhambit Mununggurr was born in 1968, the daughter of major Yolŋu artists Mutitjpuy Mununggurr and Gulumbu Yunupingu. In 2007, Munuŋgurr suffered serious injuries in an accident, including an acquired brain injury. After the accident, Dhambit found it difficult to mix ochres to compose her works as she had to use her non-dominant hand. Yolŋu leaders consequently authorised her to paint with synthetic polymer. My Story demonstrates the artist’s intent to maintain the naturalistic palette of ochre by using browns, greens and yellows, a stark juxtaposition to the vibrant and explosive blue palette she has become renowned for. Dhambit explained the story of the work in a 2018 artist’s statement:

When Tony [Dhambit’s husband] was sailing from France, he met me at the Yacht Club in 2002. My dad’s knowledge was in me. I have painted the whole story of our meeting and all my knowledge. I am Dhambit, the rock. I saw this rock at Galiwin’ku when I was eighteen. It stands on the beach next to a gaywangi [casurina tree] on Gälpu Country. Tony is paddling his boat, like the Yirritja rowing men sung by the Warramirri as part of the stories of the ocean which changes colour and nature like the octopus. Above Tony are the stars painted by my mother Gulumbu. Then the yabbies of Wandawuy, where I spent time as a child reaching into the holes in the banks of the river. Although they are Yirritja, I have painted them with mine and my father’s Mutitpuy’s design of these waters. Above the rock is Wititj, the Rainbow Snake, my mother’s mother clan, the Garrimala. The yellow of the Gumatj clan surrounds Bäru, the crocodile. She is my mother guarding her ngulurr [nest] at Ngalirrwuy [Biranybirany]. At Barukarupa in the hills above Biranybirany is a freshwater pond that makes me think of my children. Wakwak lilies flower here. Mum and Dad, Yirritja ngerrk (white cockatoo) and Dhuwa gudurrka (brolga) watch over me.