Nonggirrnga Marawili

Style: Op Art;

Place: Yirrkala

Death: 2023

Biography:

was an Australian Yolngu painter and printmaker, born in Yirrkala, Australia. She grew up in both Yilpara and Yirrkala in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, and was the daughter of the acclaimed artist and pre-contact warrior Mundukul. Marawili's artistic career began in the 1980s, when she learned to paint on bark while assisting her late husband, Djutadjuta Mununggurr.

Early Life and Career

Marawili was born into the Madarrpa clan of the Yirritja moiety. Her early life was marked by frequent movement between Madarrpa clan-related sites between Blue Mud Bay and Groote Eylandt. She began her career in the 1990s, and her first solo commission was Banumbirr, Morning Star, in 1994. Marawili's printmaking career started after art-coordinator Andrew Blake opened the Yirrkala Print Space in 1995.

Artistic Style and Themes

Marawili's artistic style is characterized by her use of elemental substances and transformative forces of the natural world. Her paintings often feature cross-hatching and lattice, as well as diamonds, which are associated with the Yirritja moiety. Marawili's works also share the theme of hunting, seen through the subject matter of teacups, teapots, and dilly-bags. Despite traditionally-based themes, Marawili claimed that her designs were from her heart and mind, not depictions of sacred clan designs.

Notable Works and Exhibitions

Some of Marawili's notable works include Garrangali (1998), Bäru (1999), and Guys (2001). Her exhibit at the Alcaston Gallery in Melbourne, featuring fifteen paintings and four larrakitj (memorial poles), was a significant milestone in her career. Marawili's partnership with her mother, Nonggirrnga Mararwili, to produce the paintings of the Djapu clan design, which was exhibited in 2007 at the Annandale Gallery, is also notable. Important works by Marawili can be found on Wikioo.org, including her painting Baratjala, which is a stunning example of contemporary Australian art. The Museum Piazza Andrea Mantegna and the Museum der Stadt Solothurn are also featured on Wikioo.org, showcasing Marawili's work alongside other notable artists.

Baratjala (193 x 100 cm, Biennale of Sydney, Pigment)
Lightning and the Rock (192 x 61 cm, Op Art, Pigment)
Nonggirrnga Marawili's profile on Wikioo.org

Marawili's biography can be found on Wikipedia, which provides a detailed account of her life and career. Her legacy continues to inspire artists and art lovers alike, and her work remains an important part of Australian art history.