My wedding
2021
Medium
earth pigments and recycled print toner on Stringybark (Eucalyptus sp.)
Measurements
230.2 × 110.0 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2021
© The Artist, Buku Larrŋgay Mulka, NT and Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne
Gallery location
Gallery 2
Ground Level, NGV Australia
About this work
Using a combination of natural earth pigments and reclaimed toner ink (ground polyester) from discarded printer cartridges, in this work Djerrkŋu recalls a mermaid dream that her father had while her mother was pregnant with her. The painting tells the story of the artist’s conception as a spiritual mermaid. Stories about mermaids appear in myths around the world, but the Yolŋu mermaid, which appears in both freshwater and saltwater, is lesser known.