The series goes on to explore the ground-breaking way that Yolŋu women have taken to bark painting, an artform traditionally practised by Yolŋu men. Before the 1980s no Yolŋu women painted sacred themes on bark or larrakitj in their own right; however, in recent decades women artists have taken to these media, becoming renowned both nationally and internationally for daring and inventive works that challenge tradition. In this episode senior artist and Rirratjiŋu Elder Dhuwarrwarr Marika, the first Yolŋu woman at Buku to paint on bark shares her story about receiving permission from her community to paint, which has paved the way for other Yolŋu women and artists at Buku to take up the art form. Naminapu Maymuru-White also shares the story of her works which depict Milŋiyawuy (the Milky Way), also known as the River of Stars, which she creates with the labour-intensive painting method of skewer stick and Marwat (brush made of fine hairs) resulting in intricate and instantly recognisable works. Viewers will also see the large-scale floor-based installation of Maymuru-White’s work Riŋgitjmi gapu, 2021 currently on display at the Gallery in Federation Court.
