Places & language

John Mawurndjul has grouped the works in the exhibition by places of special cultural significance (within his Kurulk clan estate), known as kunred, as well as the sacred places and spirits – or Djang – that resurface time and again in his art practice.

Kuninjku, the language spoken by Mawurndjul, is one of the dialects of Bininj Kunwok spoken around Maningrida and the lower Mann and Liverpool rivers. 

Map of John Mawurndjul's kurulk clan estate

Places (kunred) of special significance to the art of John Mawurndjul.

Aerial view of liverpool river - South of Maningrida

Aerial view of Liverpool River, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Photograph: Jean-Pierre Chabrol

Kuninjku is the first language of Balang John Mawurndjul. Balang is his skin name or his subsection, which is how most people refer to him. And that’s how you should refer to him.

— Murray Garde, linguist and anthropologist

Murray Garde on language diversity

Hear about the language diversity of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.

Transcript
Murray Garde on the Kuninjku language

A brief overview of the Kuninjku, the first language of John Mawurndjul, including its alphabet and pronunciation.

Transcript
It’s a pity that there isn’t the appreciation of language diversity and the importance of learning the languages of Australia, so we want to address that.

— Murray Garde

Aerial view of Liverpool River, south of Maningrida

Aerial view of Liverpool River, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Photograph: Jean-Pierre Chabrol

Map, language and place

Map of language and place in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.