In conversation

Hear from artist John Wolseley and Gurrundul Marawili in this intimate and reflective in conversation, as part of the opening weekend of The National 2021: New Australian Art.

Over the past decade, artist John Wolseley worked closely with senior Yolgnu artist, the late Mulkun Wirrpanda to document the edible and medicinal plants, creatures, and termite mounds of North East Arnhem Land. Join this special in conversation as Wolseley, and Wirrpanda’s daughter Gurrundul Marawili reflect on the artists’ important relationship and honour Ms Wirrpanda’s life.

The creative exchange between Wirrpanda and Wolseley resulted in the major touring exhibition Midawarr Harvest in 2017 and subsequent displays, including the presentation of both senior artists’ works in The National 2021: New Australian Art.

There is limited capacity at this event and spaces will be secured on a first-arrivals basis.

About the artists

Mulkun Wirrpanda
Mulkun Wirrpanda was a senior artist and respected leader of the Dhudi-Djapu clan of Dhuruputjpi. In her earlier career she generally painted Dhudi-Djapu miny'tji (sacred designs) that depict her land, using natural earth pigments on bark, larrakitj (memorial poles) and yidaki (didjeridus). In 2012, Wirrpanda began to document the lesser-known plant species that she grew up eating, to educate younger generations. In doing so she developed her own unique visual vocabulary. Her recent works observe the intricate symbiotic systems of giant termite mounds of Eastern Arnhem Land.

John Wolseley
John Wolseley describes himself as a hybrid of an artist and scientist. He uses watercolour, collage, frottage, nature printing, and other direct physical or kinetic contact methods to document the state of the Earth and consider how life dwells and moves within the landscape.

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