This volume chronicles the rise of a globally significant art movement, as told from the perspective of the Yolngu people of northeastern Australia. It presents more than 90 iconic paintings on eucalyptus bark, many of which have never been seen outside of Australia. The result was an outpouring of creativity that continues to this day as artists find new and innovative ways to transform their ancient clan designs into compelling contemporary statements.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2022
Publisher: Distributed Art Publishers

This remarkable compendium of eucalyptus bark painting, rarely seen by Western audiences, is a testament to the artistic brilliance of the Yolngu people of northeastern Australia. Presented in collaboration with Kluge-Ruhe, this volume showcases over 90 iconic paintings on eucalyptus bark, many of which have never been exhibited outside of Australia. For millennia, the Yolngu people of Yirrkala in northern Australia have adorned their bodies and ceremonial objects with sacred clan designs known as minytji, which are not merely decorative but rather the sacred patterns of the ancestral land itself. These designs, referred to as madayin, embody both the sacred and the beautiful. With the arrival of Europeans in the 20th century, the Yolngu people embraced the medium of painting on eucalyptus bark with ochres, unleashing a wave of creativity that continues to this day. Artists have found innovative ways to transform their ancient clan designs into captivating contemporary statements, and this publication captures these remarkable transformations. The book features contributions from a diverse range of artists, including Andrew Blake, David Burrumarra MBE, Steve Fox, Gunybi Ganambarr, Manydjarri Ganambarr, Yinimala Gumana, Jason Guwanbal Gurruwiwi, Djambawa Marawili AM, Nonggirrnga Marawili, Dhuwarrwarr Marika, Wanyubi Marika, Baluka Maymuru, Paul Wutjin Maymuru, Naminapu Maymuru-White, Frances Morphy, Howard Morphy, Barayuwa Mununggurr, Marnyula Mununggurr, Rerrkirrwanga Mununggurr, Wäka Mununggurr, Buwathay Munyarryun, Eleanore Neumann, Will Stubbs, Dhukumul Wanambi, Dhukal Wirrpanda, Liyawaday Wirrpanda, Dela Yunupingu, Djerrkngu Yunupingu, and Yälpi Yunupingu. Together, they offer a unique perspective on the evolution of this art movement and its profound impact on the Yolngu people and the broader Australian art scene.

A Revelatory Compendium of Eucalyptus Bark Painting, Rarely Seen by Western Audiences

Published with Kluge-Ruhe, this volume chronicles the rise of a globally significant art movement, as told from the perspective of the Yolngu people of northeastern Australia. It presents more than 90 iconic paintings on eucalyptus bark, many of which have never been seen outside of Australia.

For millennia, Yolngu people around Yirrkala in northern Australia have painted their sacred clan designs on their bodies and ceremonial objects. These designs—called minytji—are not merely decorative: they are the sacred patterns of the ancestral land itself. Yolngu people describe them as madayin: a term that encompasses both the sacred and the beautiful.

With the arrival of Europeans in the 20th century, Yolngu people turned to the medium of painting on eucalyptus bark with ochres. The result was an outpouring of creativity that continues to this day as artists find new and innovative ways to transform their ancient clan designs into compelling contemporary statements that are chronicled in this singular publication.

Authors Include:

• Andrew Blake


• David Burrumarra MBE


• Steve Fox


• Gunybi Ganambarr


• Manydjarri Ganambarr


• Yinimala Gumana


• Jason Guwanbal Gurruwiwi


• Djambawa Marawili AM


• Nonggirrnga Marawili


• Dhuwarrwarr Marika


• Wanyubi Marika


• Baluka Maymuru


• Paul Wutjin Maymuru


• Naminapu Maymuru-White


• Frances Morphy


• Howard Morphy


• Barayuwa Mununggurr


• Marnyula Mununggurr


• Rerrkirrwanga Mununggurr


• Wäka Mununggurr


• Buwathay Munyarryun


• Eleanore Neumann


• Will Stubbs


• Dhukumul Wanambi


• Dhukal Wirrpanda


• Liyawaday Wirrpanda


• Dela Yunupingu


• Djerrkngu Yunupingu


• Yälpi Yunupingu

A Unique Perspective on the Evolution of This Art Movement

This remarkable compendium of eucalyptus bark painting, rarely seen by Western audiences, is a testament to the artistic brilliance of the Yolngu people of northeastern Australia. Presented in collaboration with Kluge-Ruhe, this volume showcases over 90 iconic paintings on eucalyptus bark, many of which have never been exhibited outside of Australia. For millennia, the Yolngu people of Yirrkala in northern Australia have adorned their bodies and ceremonial objects with sacred clan designs known as minytji, which are not merely decorative but rather the sacred patterns of the ancestral land itself. These designs, referred to as madayin, embody both the sacred and the beautiful. With the arrival of Europeans in the 20th century, the Yolngu people embraced the medium of painting on eucalyptus bark with ochres, unleashing a wave of creativity that continues to this day. Artists have found innovative ways to transform their ancient clan designs into captivating contemporary statements, and this publication captures these remarkable transformations.

The book features contributions from a diverse range of artists, including Andrew Blake, David Burrumarra MBE, Steve Fox, Gunybi Ganambarr, Manydjarri Ganambarr, Yinimala Gumana, Jason Guwanbal Gurruwiwi, Djambawa Marawili AM, Nonggirrnga Marawili, Dhuwarrwarr Marika, Wanyubi Marika, Baluka Maymuru, Paul Wutjin Maymuru, Naminapu Maymuru-White, Frances Morphy, Howard Morphy, Barayuwa Mununggurr, Marnyula Mununggurr, Rerrkirrwanga Mununggurr, Wäka Mununggurr, Buwathay Munyarryun, Eleanore Neumann, Will Stubbs, Dhukumul Wanambi, Dhukal Wirrpanda, Liyawaday Wirrpanda, Dela Yunupingu, Djerrkngu Yunupingu, and Yälpi Yunupingu. Together, they offer a unique perspective on the evolution of this art movement and its profound impact on the Yolngu people and the broader Australian art scene.

Weight: 2134g
Dimension: 233 x 314 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636810553