We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Mardayin at Mukkamukka

2004

Artist

John Mawurndjul

Australia

1952 –

Language group: Kuninjku, Arnhem region

Artist profile

  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    Maningrida → Central Arnhem Land → Northern Territory → Australia
    Date
    2004
    Media category
    Print
    Materials used
    etching, 'Maningrida brown' ink on white BFK Rives Moulin du Gué wove paper
    Edition
    6/20
    Dimensions
    29.9 x 12.4 cm platemark; 38.1 x 29.2 cm sheet (irreg.)
    Signature & date

    Signed l.l. beneath platemark, pencil "JOHNNY". Not dated.

    Credit
    Mollie Gowing Acquisition fund for Contemporary Aboriginal art 2005
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    4.2005.5
    Copyright
    © John Mawurndjul, Maningrida Arts and Culture/Copyright Agency

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    Artist information
    John Mawurndjul

    Artist profile

    Works in the collection

    26

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  • About

    This work by Mawurndjul concerns a major patrimoiety ceremony of a secret and sacred nature called Mardayin. Mukkamukka is the name for a large area of land around the Mann River about 50km south of Maningrida. It encompasses Mawurndjul's mother's country and a large chain of billabongs in lowlands surrounding the Mann River. The etching refers to Mukkamukka which is in the Dangkorlo clan estate in the Mann River region. In one small billabong is the Mardayin ceremony sacred site. Mawurndjul considers Mukkamukka to be the most important Mardayin sacred site in the region. Some elements of the design are abstract references to components of the ceremony.

    © Maningrida Arts & Culture 2004

  • Places

    Where the work was made

    Maningrida

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 1 exhibition

Other works by John Mawurndjul

See all 26 works