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My wedding

My wedding
 2021

Medium
earth pigments and recycled print toner on Stringybark (Eucalyptus sp.)
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
Reproduction requests
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.

Artwork Details

Medium
earth pigments and recycled print toner on Stringybark (Eucalyptus sp.)
Measurements
230.2 × 110.0 cm
Accession Number
2021.781
Department
First Nations Australia
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
Reproduction requests
Gallery location
Gallery 2
Ground Level, NGV Australia

Discover more

Video
Bark Ladies: Eleven Artists from Yirrkala | Episode four: The Gecko and the Mermaid: Djerrkŋu Yunupiŋu and her sister
Video
Djerrkŋu Yunupiŋu: I am a Mermaid
Exhibition
The Gecko and the Mermaid

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