Ŋäḏi ga Guṉdirr
2020
- Medium
- earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus sp.)
- Measurements
- 155.0 × 68.0 cm
- Place/s of Execution
- Dhuruputjpi, Northern Territory
- Accession Number
- 2020.754
- Department
- First Nations Australia
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2020
© the artist, courtesy of Buku Larrnggay Mulka - Gallery location
- Gallery 2
Ground Level, NGV Australia - About this work
-
Mulkun Wirrpanda’s work is rooted in her knowledge of edible plants and natural species found throughout Arnhem Land. These are four of Mulkun’s last bark paintings, made in 2020 just before her passing. The subject is the gundirr (magnetic termite mounds) that are home to munyukuluŋu (magnetic termites) and ŋadi (meat ants). Mulkun has removed all background crosshatching so that the termite mound is highlighted within a sheet of negative space. Poignantly, ŋadi are a talisman of the artist’s sacred identity and are associated with mourning ceremonies for the deceased.