Thirty-five Arnhem Land artists gathered on Laŋarra homeland - eating, dreaming and weaving together over three days.
Laŋarra is my mother, and she is family for all the artists that have come to the Bush Gallery. This is the place for the Wubulkarra clan. It is [also] central to Gapuwiyak, Milingimbi, Ramingining, Maningrida, and Galiwin’ku communities. Through our gurrutu, kinship, we are related to each other and to Laŋarra.
Some of us came by boat, some on the barge and some by the plane. They brought their weavings, gunga (pandanus fibre), and tents. The barge was heavy, but we all made it.
This camp is our dream and vision. We have come to Laŋarra to focus on our work together… our work must not be done alone. We are all doing hard work, and when we work together, our work becomes lighter. We must continue to work together and lift up our art centres.
— Ruth Ŋalmakarra, Milingimbi Art and Culture senior artist and former Chairperson
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We camped, shared meals, harvested and prepared fibres and natural dyes, created exhibitions and talked about our artwork. Our artwork travels to exhibitions all over Australia and the world. The Bush Gallery was an opportunity for us to make an exhibition for ourselves and to celebrate our legacy.
— Helen Ganalmirriwuy, Milingimbi Art and Culture senior artist
When we saw each other we were happy and remembering family that has passed away or that we are worrying for. Sometimes when we see the faces of our family we remember other family and we start crying - our heart cries - that's when Milkarri (crying song) comes out. We had a latju (beautiful) memorial for Jocelyn and Milkarri for Dhuway (my husband).
— Abigail Mundjula, Milingimbi Art and Culture artist
We wove a quilt together. It was about working together – one head, one heart, one hands. Just about making something that’s working together – one idea, you know. So that women here in Milingimbi or in Ramingining or Gapuiyak or Maningrida could work together sharing ideas.
— Gwen Warmbirrirr, Milingimbi Art and Culture Djalkiri Keeping Place Collections Djägamirr
I'm really proud, that this has happened for the first time here at Laŋarra… It has been a dream and vision for the weavers. It has been a long time that we have been going south for exhibitions. Taking our weavings and showing in the south. This [Bush Gallery] is an opportunity that we can stand with family and feel proud of what we make together. I would like to say thank you for coming, because I belong to this place.
— Daphne Banyawarra. Bula’bula Arts Director and senior artist
We were so excited to see everybody’s work. The women when they showed us their work, their eyes were so big. The knowledge, the understanding was all there. Everybody’s work was amazing… They didn’t feel shy - there were no balanda (strangers) - so we could really talk!
- Ruth Ŋalmakarra, Milingimbi Art and Culture senior artist and former chairperson
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Laŋarra Bush Gallery was shaped by vision, held together by care, and built through wubirr (sweat)
Laŋarra Bush Gallery, 2024, would not have been possible without the dedication of the artists and their art and culture centres, the guidance of their board members, and the generosity of wäna wataŋu (Traditional Owners) — Brian Mayatjun, Bill Dayngidja and Johnny Djuwarrarr. The steady hands and hearts of the Laŋarra community — John Rrumangbuy, Tasha Dhamarandji, Elizabeth Rukarriwuy, Helen Ganalmirriwuy, Mandy Batjula, Chris Daymarrupa, Vanessa Dhatu, Michael Wuludumbu, Shena Batjula, Josephine Gaykamaŋu, Debbie Gaykamaŋu, Rodney Yunupiŋu, Jerome Gulumbu, Jacinta Marryulumba, Seth Mitjpadada, Robyn Galitjpirr, Arthur Dhamarandji, Thomas Mardaŋala, Tracey Garrawurra and others who stood beside them — were also foundational to the success of Laŋarra Bush Gallery.
To the art and culture centre staff, volunteers and collaborators — Mandi King, David Yarraŋ Roy, Leon Milmurru, Phillip Guyabaka, Jack Minmidhi, Alfred Walpay, Harriet Watts, Mel George, Carey Peterson, Trevor van Weeren, Kelly Butler, Claudia Prendergast, Salome Harris, Rosita Holmes, Marion Shaw, Marie Falcinella, Barbara Pozzi and Chris Durkin — your support and understanding carried this vision forward.
We thank Milingimbi Outstations and Progress Resource Aboriginal Corporation (MOPRA) for their local knowledge, hard work and logistical care.
This project was made possible through the funding and commitment of the Office of the Arts, the Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation (NTAIC), and The Place for Indigenous Art and Culture (The Place), University of Melbourne.
Laŋarra Bush Gallery was honoured to welcome special guests: Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn and Andrew Blackley of Salon 94, New York; Maia Nuku and Sylvia Cockburn of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), New York; and Rebekkah Raymond of the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin.
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