Ivan Namirrkki

Exhibiton

In this exhibition, Ivan Namirrkki has mainly chosen to depict important places located in his clan lands. While using different styles of rarrk and trying new compositions, Namirrkki has clearly two agendas: one is to teach his own children about stories associated with their lands and the other is to bring to the attention of the public the importance of the land and its occupation for Aboriginal people. Namirrkki lives with his family at Kumurulu, a small outstation near Marrkolidjban in Kardbam clan estate. When Marrkolidjban became too crowded, Namirrkki set up Kumurulu and camped there with his immediate family until a house was eventually built. Namirrkki rarely visits Maningrida township and prefers living in his small outstation where he paints, looks after the land, goes hunting and fishing.

On a recent visit to Kumurulu with two UK journalists, I had to answer some difficult questions about the future of outstations. News about the political changes and the National Emergency Intervention Plan had travelled to the bush and Namirrkki was deeply concerned and worried but also in a state of disbelief. What was supposed to be an interview about Kuninjku art turned into a political conversation with more questions than answers. Namirrkki rightly pointed out that without his continuous association with his country he would not be in a position to produce his art and these new paintings presented here would not exist. Without living on his land, he would not be able to gather the materials to make bark paintings or lorrkon - hollow logs -, pigments to paint but also he would lost the connection to his land and culture which are the source of his artistic inspiration. As he said:

“Why do they want me to move to Maningrida or a city to get a job? I already have a job: I am an artist and I look after the land. I will be nothing in a city. Here, I use my traditional knowledge to look after the environment and I share my culture through my paintings. People enjoy my painting. I want balandas [non-aboriginal people] to see through my paintings in my next exhibition the fundamental importance of land for us and also how we need to look after it. I am happy that all the subjects I depicted in my lorrkon and bark paintings for this exhibition are related
to my the land and sacred places. It demonstrates our knowledge and love for our country. Whatever happens, I will stay bush with my family. They need to know this as well.”

By Apolline Kohen
Arts Director
August 2007