Belonging to the Mang r oves
Images supplied by Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka ©
Gathul’puyBelonging to the Mangroves
Gathul’puy showcases the works of two First Nations artists from the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, Munhala Dhamarrandji and Muluymuluy Wirrpanda. Drawing from their ancestral landscapes, the artists weave stories of Arnhem Land’s ecosystems, traditions, and identity into each intricate painting.
“Muluymuluy and Manhala are two very different artists. But there is a synergy between their work. They are both inspired and informed by a lifetime of intimacy with the land. The fluidity and instinctive organic feel flows from this.
“Imagine if your day to day ‘job’ was not a commute to an office but a journey to the mangroves, jungle or beach to winkle your daily sustenance from the earth. This moulds you to a certain hyperawareness of the shapes and forms of nature. Because without this heightened sense you cannot unlock the necessary nutrition required by your family.
“This is the hidden ‘secret sauce’ of both of these bodies of work. Whilst you may never understand the worldview of a Yolŋu woman faced with this task of extracting food from the bush you can feel that knowledge inherent in the work.
“Each one of the shellfish in both of their paintings is a specific species with its own exact position in the matrix of Yolŋu identity. Munhala is drawing from the sacred songs whilst Muluymuluy is showing a secular view. Nonetheless these shellfish all have a particular place in the songs, a niche in the ecosystem, and in the menu of Yolŋu appetite which is deeply ingrained in the artist’s minds.”
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka
Gathul’puy [Belonging to the Mangroves] offers a profound glimpse into Yolŋu culture through the works of Munhala Dhamarrandji and Muluymuluy Wirrpanda. Art Leven is proud to present this exhibition, a celebration of Yolŋu heritage and the enduring bond between land, knowledge, and creativity.
Munhala Dhamarrandji
Tis arst depicts the Djambarrpuyŋu clan design of Batjimurruŋu.Tis design carries the miny’tji of Batjimurruŋu a shellfsh of the mangroves area which climbs the aerial roots of the mangroves as the tide comes in. It is sung by the Djambarrpuyngu clan with the Guyula / Dhamarrandji surnames and relates to the Buckingham Bay area of Gurula Dhulmuwandany. It is a design learnt by the arst via her mother’s frst husband and is her classifcatory sister clan.
Tis place and design, songs and the shellfsh itself are related to the songlines of the Djaŋ’kawu sisters of the Dhuwa moiety. Batjimurruŋu is Cassidula angulifera or the Angular Ear Shell. Te synonyms are miniminipi and mitjalaŋaniŋ
Munhala’s bark painngs were included in the 2023 group exhibion Gatjpu at Laundry Gallery in Darwin.
- As described on Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Artsit Bio
Artist potraits supplied by Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka ©
Homeland : Yilpara
Muluymuluy Wirrpanda
Muluymuluy was born at Ngukurr, her Father is Molulmi. She was the young wife of Wakuthi Marawili. Wakuthi was one of the oldest men in Arnhem land.
He was known as Banbay - “Blind one” because of his poor eyesight. He passed away in 2005. His sons Djambawa and Nuwandjali have a large role in the day-to-day management of the large Ma arrpa clan homeland, Yilpara. Muluymuluy has worked with them in her art as well as under Wakuthi’s direction to produce important Ma arrpa clan painngs. Her son was DaymathunaMarawili who passed away in Ramingining. Her sister Mulku Wirrpanda is also a senior arst. Her Mother’s clan is Maŋgalili.
- As described on Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Artsit Bio
Artist potraits supplied by Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka ©
Homeland : Dhuruputjpi
MUNHALA DHAMARRANDJI
Batjimurruŋu, 2022
ochre on bark
67 x 35 cm
#20933
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, NT Cat #2890-22
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
This painting carries the miny’tji of Batjimurruŋu a shellfish of the mangroves area which climbs the aerial roots of the mangroves as the tide comes in. It is sung by the Djambarrpuyngu clan with the Guyula / Dhamarrandji surnames and relates to the Buckingham Bay area of Gurula Dhulmuwandany. It is a design learnt by the artist via her mother’s first husband and is her classificatory sister clan. This place and design, songs and the shellfish itself are related to the songlines of the Djaŋ'kawu sisters of the Dhuwa moiety. Batjimurruŋu is Cassidula angulifera or the Angular Ear Shell. The synonyms are miniminipi and mitjalaŋaniŋ
MUNHALA DHAMARRANDJI
Batjimurruŋu, 2022
ochre on bark
68.5 x 51 cm
#20934
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, NT Cat #4143-22
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
This painting carries the miny’tji of Batjimurruŋu a shellfish of the mangroves area which climbs the aerial roots of the mangroves as the tide comes in. It is sung by the Djambarrpuyngu clan with the Guyula / Dhamarrandji surnames and relates to the Buckingham Bay area of Gurula Dhulmuwandany. It is a design learnt by the artist via her mother’s first husband and is her classificatory sister clan. This place and design, songs and the shellfish itself are related to the songlines of the Djaŋ'kawu sisters of the Dhuwa moiety. Batjimurruŋu is Cassidula angulifera or the Angular Ear Shell. The synonyms are miniminipi and mitjalaŋaniŋ
MUNHALA DHAMARRANDJI
Batjimurruŋu, 2023
ochre on bark
97.5 x 69 cm
#20935
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, NT Cat #1293-23
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
This painting carries the miny’tji of Batjimurruŋu a shellfish of the mangroves area which climbs the aerial roots of the mangroves as the tide comes in. It is sung by the Djambarrpuyngu clan with the Guyula / Dhamarrandji surnames and relates to the Buckingham Bay area of Gurula Dhulmuwandany. It is a design learnt by the artist via her mother’s first husband and is her classificatory sister clan. This place and design, songs and the shellfish itself are related to the songlines of the Djaŋ'kawu sisters of the Dhuwa moiety. Batjimurruŋu is Cassidula angulifera or the Angular Ear Shell. The synonyms are miniminipi and mitjalaŋaniŋ
MUNHALA DHAMARRANDJI
Batjimurruŋu, 2023 ochre on bark
67 x 46 cm #20936
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, NT Cat #621-23
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
This painting carries the miny’tji of Batjimurruŋu a shellfish of the mangroves area which climbs the aerial roots of the mangroves as the tide comes in. It is sung by the Djambarrpuyngu clan with the Guyula / Dhamarrandji surnames and relates to the Buckingham Bay area of Gurula Dhulmuwandany. It is a design learnt by the artist via her mother’s first husband and is her classificatory sister clan.
This place and design, songs and the shellfish itself are related to the songlines of the Djaŋ'kawu sisters of the Dhuwa moiety. Batjimurruŋu is Cassidula angulifera or the Angular Ear Shell. The synonyms are miniminipi and mitjalaŋaniŋ
MUNHALA DHAMARRANDJI
Gomu, 2023
ochre on bark
77 x 71 cm
#20937
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, NT Cat #3042-23
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
Gomu' are a form of hermit crab who are sung by the Djambarrpuyŋu. The edible species are known as Ŋukaliya or Variegated Hermit Crab Clibanarius taeniatus. But the Maypal, Mayili ga Wäŋa- Shellfish, meaning and place dictionary suggests that Gomu' are inedible and that they prefer the shell shapes known as Ḻaḻaywarra and barawatharr. Gomu' is known as ' Hermit Crab' or Coenobita perlatus. It is much more heavily built than Ŋukaliya and the shells it refers are round rather than pointed. The Djambarrpuyŋu songs of turtle hunters divulge that as the turtle is butchered according to strict protocols relating to cuts and priority division the Gomu' rise to the top of the sand attracted by the smell.
MUNHALA DHAMARRANDJI
Gomu, 2023
ochre on bark
121 x 61 cm
#20938
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, NT Cat #3462-23
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
Gomu' are a form of hermit crab who are sung by the Djambarrpuyŋu. The edible species are known as Ŋukaliya or Variegated Hermit Crab Clibanarius taeniatus. But the Maypal, Mayili ga Wäŋa- Shellfish, meaning and place dictionary suggests that Gomu' are inedible and that they prefer the shell shapes known as Ḻaḻaywarra and barawatharr. Gomu' is known as ' Hermit Crab' or Coenobita perlatus. It is much more heavily built than Ŋukaliya and the shells it refers are round rather than pointed. The Djambarrpuyŋu songs of turtle hunters divulge that as the turtle is butchered according to strict protocols relating to cuts and priority division the Gomu' rise to the top of the sand attracted by the smell.
MUNHALA DHAMARRANDJI
Gomu, 2023
ochre on bark
217 x 15 cm
#20939
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, NT Cat #3924-23
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
Gomu' are a form of hermit crab who are sung by the Djambarrpuyŋu. The edible species are known as Ŋukaliya or Variegated Hermit Crab Clibanarius taeniatus. But the Maypal, Mayili ga Wäŋa- Shellfish, meaning and place dictionary suggests that Gomu' are inedible and that they prefer the shell shapes known as Ḻaḻaywarra and barawatharr. Gomu' is known as ' Hermit Crab' or Coenobita perlatus. It is much more heavily built than Ŋukaliya and the shells it refers are round rather than pointed.
The Djambarrpuyŋu songs of turtle hunters divulge that as the turtle is butchered according to strict protocols relating to cuts and priority division the Gomu' rise to the top of the sand attracted by the smell.
The Ḻarrakitj had its traditional use for the Yolŋu of North east Arnhem Land as an ossuary or bone
MULUYMULUY WIRRPANDA
Bol'pu, 2023
ochre on bark
78 x 39 cm
#21056
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, NT Cat #2482-23
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
This bol’pu is symbolic of the two ancestral women known as the Djuram. They hung their dilly bags on the Banyan tree. This bag is a symbol of our womanhood.
Those two ladies (Djuram) named Ganapa and Banyili. They were walking across the plain called Garaŋardi or Bukulili. As they were walking, their Bol’pu (dilly bags) were carried on their backs with a string across their forehead.
They were geting Guya (fish) at Milŋurr (waterhole). There’s a few Milŋurr at this place. The Guya (fish) are called Birrkuku (black and white striped butterfish), and Guyula or Narrunpuma (catiish) . This is sacred country for my Dhudi-Djapu clan.
MULUYMULUY WIRRPANDA
Bol'pu, 2023
ochre on bark
67.5 x 35.5 cm
#21057
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, NT Cat #3038-24
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
This bol’pu is symbolic of the two ancestral women known as the Djuram. They hung their dilly bags on the Banyan tree. This bag is a symbol of our womanhood.
Those two ladies (Djuram) named Ganapa and Banyili. They were walking across the plain called Garaŋardi or Bukulili. As they were walking, their Bol’pu (dilly bags) were carried on their backs with a string across their forehead.
They were geting Guya (fish) at Milŋurr (waterhole). There’s a few Milŋurr at this place. The Guya (fish) are called Birrkuku (black and white striped butterfish), and Guyula or Narrunpuma (catiish) . This is sacred country for my Dhudi-Djapu clan.
MULUYMULUY WIRRPANDA
Gathul(Mangroves), 2022
ochre on bark
88 x 54 cm
#21058
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, NT Cat #7139-22
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
In Arnhem Land mangroves are full of rich smells and the clicking music of hidden life.
Harvesting the fruits of the mangrove is the particular obsession of Yolŋu women. Their knowledge of what lies within and under the trees and the mud is incredible. For, as beautiful as what can be seen is, there is hidden treasure everywhere, for those who can crack the code.
One example only of the hundreds of delicious foods on offer is Dhän'pala. The King, or more likely Queen, of Shellfish in East Arnhem is one that sustains many people and anchors many hunting trips. Found by feeling with feet or combing with hands, knife blades or rakes or sometimes spotted as cryptic lips just poking free of the mud or as a hole or crack in the surface of the mud indicating a subsidence
MUNHALA DHAMARRANDJI
Batjimurruŋu, 2023 ochre on bark
97 x 30.5 cm #21060
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, NT Cat:1964-23
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
This painting carries the miny’tji of Batjimurruŋu a shellfish of the mangroves area which climbs the aerial roots of the mangroves as the tide comes in. It is sung by the Djambarrpuyngu clan with the Guyula / Dhamarrandji surnames and relates to the Buckingham Bay area of Gurula Dhulmuwandany. It is a design learnt by the artist via her mother’s first husband and is her classificatory sister clan. This place and design, songs and the shellfish itself are related to the songlines of the Djaŋ'kawu sisters of the Dhuwa moiety. Batjimurruŋu is Cassidula angulifera or the Angular Ear Shell. The synonyms are miniminipi and mitjalaŋaniŋ
MUNHALA DHAMARRANDJI
Gomu, 2023
ochre on bark
54.5 x 98 cm
#21061
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, NT Cat: 6206-23
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
Gomu' are a form of hermit crab who are sung by the Djambarrpuyŋu. The edible species are known as Ŋukaliya or Variegated Hermit Crab Clibanarius taeniatus. But the Maypal, Mayili ga Wäŋa- Shellfish, meaning and place dictionary suggests that Gomu' are inedible and that they prefer the shell shapes known as Ḻaḻaywarra and barawatharr. Gomu' is known as ' Hermit Crab' or Coenobita perlatus. It is much more heavily built than Ŋukaliya and the shells it refers are round rather than pointed.
The Djambarrpuyŋu songs of turtle hunters divulge that as the turtle is butchered according to strict protocols relating to cuts and priority division the Gomu' rise to the top of the sand attracted by the smell.
MULUYMULUY WIRRPANDA
Gathul, 2022
ochre on bark
110 x 56.5 cm
#21143
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, NT Cat: 6947-22
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
Gathul/Mangroves
In Arnhem Land mangroves are full of rich smells and the clicking music of hidden life.
Harvesting the fruits of the mangrove is the particular obsession of Yolŋu women. Their knowledge of what lies within and under the trees and the mud is incredible. For, as beautiful as what can be seen is, there is hidden treasure everywhere, for those who can crack the code.
One example only of the hundreds of delicious foods on offer is Dhän'pala. The King, or more likely Queen, of Shellfish in East Arnhem is one that sustains many people and anchors many hunting trips.
MULUYMULUY WIRRPANDA
Bol'pu, 2023
ochre on bark
116 x 57.5 cm
#21142
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, NT Cat: 2689-23
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
This painting is a depiction of Bol’pu, woven dilly bag.
The age old practice of weaving baskets from the leaves of Pandanus continues today. Making these things is very labour intensive. Gathering the materials can be quite exhausting. The spiky pandanus leaves are sometimes difficult to harvest, followed by the careful task of flaying the leaves before hanging them to dry. Only the few central leaves of the palm growing from the core which have not bent are used. these can be ten or twenty feet high so a special crook known as a Galpuŋaniny must be used to work these out of the growing tree. The pandanus (known as Gunga- Pandanus Yirrkalaensis) recovers completely but cannot be reharvested for some months. The dyes used are from the bulbs, roots or bark of various woodland plants. Each of these plants only grow in different specific locations. Once the
MUNHALA DHAMARRANDJI
Gomu', 2024
ochre on bark
73 x 60.5 cm
#21149
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, NT Cat: 2461-24
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
Gomu' are a form of hermit crab who are sung by the Djambarrpuyŋu. The edible species are known as Ŋukaliya or Variegated Hermit Crab Clibanarius taeniatus. But the Maypal, Mayili ga Wäŋa- Shellfish, meaning and place dictionary suggests that Gomu' are inedible and that they prefer the shell shapes known as Ḻaḻaywarra and barawatharr. Gomu' is known as ' Hermit Crab' or Coenobita perlatus. It is much more heavily built than Ŋukaliya and the shells it refers are round rather than pointed.
The Djambarrpuyŋu songs of turtle hunters divulge that as the turtle is butchered according to strict protocols relating to cuts and priority division the Gomu' rise to the top of the sand attracted by the smell.
MUNHALA DHAMARRANDJI
Batjimurruŋu, 2022
ochre on bark
155 x 86.5 cm #21148
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, NT Cat: 2184-22
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
This painting carries the miny’tji of Batjimurruŋu a shellfish of the mangroves area which climbs the aerial roots of the mangroves as the tide comes in. It is sung by the Djambarrpuyngu clan with the Guyula / Dhamarrandji surnames and relates to the Buckingham Bay area of Gurula Dhulmuwandany. It is a design learnt by the artist via her mother’s first husband and is her classificatory sister clan. This place and design, songs and the shellfish itself are related to the songlines of the Djaŋ'kawu sisters of the Dhuwa moiety. Batjimurruŋu is Cassidula angulifera or the Angular Ear Shell. The synonyms are miniminipi and mitjalaŋaniŋ
MUNHALA DHAMARRANDJI
Batjimurruŋu, 2022
earth pigments on board 71.5 x 64.5 cm
#21147
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, NT Cat: 8738-22
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
This painting carries the miny’tji of Batjimurruŋu a shellfish of the mangroves area which climbs the aerial roots of the mangroves as the tide comes in. It is sung by the Djambarrpuyngu clan with the Guyula / Dhamarrandji surnames and relates to the Buckingham Bay area of Gurula Dhulmuwandany. It is a design learnt by the artist via her mother’s first husband and is her classificatory sister clan. This place and design, songs and the shellfish itself are related to the songlines of the Djaŋ'kawu sisters of the Dhuwa moiety. Batjimurruŋu is Cassidula angulifera or the Angular Ear Shell. The synonyms are miniminipi and mitjalaŋaniŋ
MUNHALA DHAMARRANDJI
Batjimunuga, 2021
ochre on bark
71 x 73.7 cm
#21145
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, NT Cat: 7835-21
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
This painting carries the miny’tji of Batjimurruŋu a shellfish of the mangroves area which climbs the aerial roots of the mangroves as the tide comes in. It is sung by the Djambarrpuyngu clan with the Guyula / Dhamarrandji surnames and relates to the Buckingham Bay area of Gurula Dhulmuwandany. It is a design learnt by the artist via her mother’s first husband and is her classificatory sister clan.
This place and design, songs and the shellfish itself are related to the songlines of the Djaŋ'kawu sisters of the Dhuwa moiety.
Batjimurruŋu is Cassidula angulifera or the Angular Ear Shell. The synonyms are miniminipi and mitjalaŋaniŋ
MUNHALA DHAMARRANDJI
Batjimurruŋu, 2023 ochre on bark 102 x 33.5 cm #21144
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, NT Cat: 1963-23
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
STORY
This painting carries the miny’tji of Batjimurruŋu a shellfish of the mangroves area which climbs the aerial roots of the mangroves as the tide comes in. It is sung by the Djambarrpuyngu clan with the Guyula / Dhamarrandji surnames and relates to the Buckingham Bay area of Gurula Dhulmuwandany. It is a design learnt by the artist via her mother’s first husband and is her classificatory sister clan.
This place and design, songs and the shellfish itself are related to the songlines of the Djaŋ'kawu sisters of the Dhuwa moiety.
Batjimurruŋu is Cassidula angulifera or the Angular Ear Shell. The synonyms are miniminipi and mitjalaŋaniŋ
Belonging to the Mang r oves
14 December 2024 - 11 January 2025
Muluymuluy Wirrpanda & Munhala Dhamarrandji