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.
Places (kunred) of special significance to the art of John Mawurndjul.
Aerial view of Liverpool River, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Photograph: Jean-Pierre Chabrol
— Murray Garde, linguist and anthropologist
Hear about the language diversity of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.
A brief overview of the Kuninjku, the first language of John Mawurndjul, including its alphabet and pronunciation.
— Murray Garde
Aerial view of Liverpool River, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Photograph: Jean-Pierre Chabrol
Map of language and place in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.