There is from long ago another history that the bark paintings do not forget. The rarrk is only what we see on the surface, like the skin. But the Old People from long ago have their history, as do the new generation now in the time of the balanda. The old ways of doing things have changed into the new ways. The new generation does things differently. But me, I have two ways. I am the old and the new.

– John Mawurndjul

Talking points

• John Mawurndjul’s contemporary interpretation of a cultural practice.
  
• The value of ‘the old’.
  
• The ‘old’ and the ‘new’ can co-exist.
  

For John Mawurndjul, the old and the new co-exist and are inextricably connected. He learnt to paint on bark by observing his older brother Jimmy Njiminjuma, who had studied the work of senior artists such as Yirawala, Peter Marralwanga and Jimmy Midjawmidjaw. Mawurndjul acknowledges the legacy of bark painting, yet imparts his own individuality through the use of commercial materials and his meticulous rarrk (cross-hatching). After rendering ochre pigments upon the bark, he applies a synthetic fixative to the surface, enabling the painting to capturing light and further articulate the immense ancestral power he channels into his works of art.

Warm-up

John Mawurndjul’s practice continues inherited cultural practices, while innovating their representation at the same time. He considers his work to be both old and new. Think about places or locations where the old and the new co-exist, such as places with both heritage and contemporary architecture.

Mawurndjul uses a range of materials that could be considered as old or new, such as ochre pigments and glue fixative. Look around the room you are in and list materials that you consider to be old or new. Can materials be both?

Discussion

Look at the above paintings by John Mawurndjul. Considering form, technique and composition, which painting would you consider to be an older work and which would you consider to be a newer work? What informs your opinion?

Activity 1 – Innovating practice

Create a work of art that represents a story or idea using materials and technologies that you consider to be ‘new’. Then represent the same story using materials or technologies that you consider to be ‘old’. What limitations do the ‘new’ materials have? What limitations do the ‘old’ materials have?

Activity 2 – Continuity and change

Throughout his career, John Mawurndjul has continuously returned to the depiction of ancestral stories and places. Revisit a work of art you made in the past or as a child and re-create it using all your knowledge and experience with materials and technologies available to you now. How has the work changed and what influenced the change? Would you make it differently if you had other materials available to you?

Early learning provocation

John Mawurndjul’s paintings combine old and new elements. Look around your room, outdoor space or home. Make a small collection of objects that you think are old and a small collection of objects that you think are new. Spend some time playing with these objects and see what you can create. What new stories can be told when these new and old objects come together?