In Yolŋu culture the land, family, ceremony, songs and art are connected. Milingimbi artists share these stories in fibre works, paintings on bark, ceremonial poles and carvings.
Our Cultural Heritage
Artwork from Milingimbi was commissioned as early as 1912, and was collected during the 1920s when the first Methodist missionaries arrived. By the 1960s the centre was a leader in establishing the market for traditional Yolŋu art. As a result art from Milingimbi is included in significant national and international collections. The centre continues the long tradition of producing high quality works, including bark paintings, carvings and weaving.
For contemporary Yolŋu, these artworks are living pieces of cultural heritage that have an ongoing importance in Yolŋu social life.
Milingimbi Art and Culture Centre is housed in a historical building made of mud bricks; it was constructed in the 1930s.
The passing of knowledge through generations
In late 2019 Milingimbi artists were invited by curator, Nici Cumpston, to create new works that explored the theme of sharing between generations. The below text was written for the accompanying exhibition catalogue. It is not surprising that, in these times, we...
Garrawurra are singing and waking up the young girl
Garrawurra are singing and waking up the young girl. They are standing on my mother’s country—singing from sunrise to sunset. This is women’s secret sacred ceremony. The deep story is not for here. —Susan Balbunga Susan Balbunga’s mother’s country of...
Historical collections and contemporary art production in Milingimbi
Back to the Future – Historical collections and contemporary art production in MilingimbiRuth Nalmakarra and Rosita Holmes in conversation In 2019 Rebecca Conway, Curator Ethnography, Macleay Collections, invited Ruth Nalmakarra and Rosita Holmes to make a...
