Based on Kunibídji country in Arnhem Land, Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary cultural expression and art-making. The area where artists live encompasses 7,000 square kilometres of land and sea, and over 100 clan estates where people speak more than twelve distinct languages.

The arts centre holds 20 exhibitions annually and has supported hundreds of artists on their homelands since it was established in the early 70s. The artists’ transformation of their sustaining belief system, djang, into a contemporary aesthetic has won them international success and intrigued collectors and curators from around the world.

ARTISTS

Anniebell Marrngamarrnga
Kuninjku

“I learnt how to weave from my mother, Nancy Djulumba, who passed away a long time ago [1995]. I first made coiled baskets, twined bags and string bags. I then learned how to paint from my husband [Dick Nadjolorro]. My favourite subject is the yawkyawk ngalkuburriyaymi, female spirit, who lives in the water at Kubumi. It is my husband’s Dreaming. I represent her in my bark paintings, in my timber carvings and also in my weaving. I came with the idea to make flat yawkyawk from pandanus [Pandanus spiralis]. First I build the bamboo frame and I then weave with colourful pandanus in the same technique I used when making twined bags. I use lots of different colours and I like it. Colours are important in my work.” - Anniebell Marrngamarrnga

Dorothy Bunibuni
Kuninjku

Dorothy is one of Maningrida Arts & Culture's most exciting emerging fibre artists., She is sister to acclaimed artist and weaver Anniebell Marrngamarrnga Dorothy's innovative designs are made from locally collected pandanus and bush dyes which she collects from around Ji-balbal Outstation, on her father's country.

Paul Nabulumo Namarinjmak
Kuninjku

Paul Nabulumo is a painter and sculptor. He is the son of acclaimed artist, Mick Kubarkku (1925 - 2008). Nabulumo learned under his guidance, watching him paint on rock surfaces and bark paintings as a young man. The artist continues to paint the iconic imagery handed down from his father, including Ngalyod (Rainbow Serpent), mimih (rock country spirit), yawkyawk (female water spirits), Kubumi (waterholes) and djulng (Ancestral bones). Nabulumo maintains strong connection to his heritage, living and working at Yikkarrakkal Outstation which sits adjacent to the dirdbim and kubumi djang (Ancestral) sites* . However, he has developed his own distinct aesthetic, characterised by striking combinations of fine and elegant rarrk, figurative elements and bold negative space. Nabulumo has shown both locally and internationally at highly regarded commercial spaces.

Ken Ngindjalakku Djungkidj
Kuninjku

Ken Djungkidj is the son of acclaimed artist, Mick Kubarkku (1925 - 2008), who was known for his painting of dirdbim (moon, sun and stars) and the associated site on his Kulmarru clan estate. Djungkidj learned under his guidance, watching him paint on rock surfaces and bark paintings as a young man. The artist continues to paint the iconic imagery handed down from his father, including Ngalyod (Rainbow Serpent), mimih (rock country spirit), yawkyawk (female water spirits), Kubumi (waterholes) and djulng (Ancestral bones).