09/10/2026
Lunchtime Art Bite: Gulumbu Yunupiŋu, 'Gurrurru' (sail), 2011
Thursday 15 October, 1:15pm
Hedley Bull Building, ANU
130 Garran Rd, Acton
Free to attend, no bookings required
At this fortnight's Art Bite at the Hedley Bull Atrium, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, we will discuss Gulumbu Yunupiŋu’s dramatic work 'Gurrurru', 2011.
Gulumbu Yunupiŋu (1943-2012) was a highly respected Yolŋu elder of the Gumatj clan who lived and worked Yirrkala, Northeast Arnhem Land. 'Gurrurru' was commissioned for the Hedley Bull building, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs in 2008. Gurrurru, the Yolŋu word for ‘sail’, represents a longstanding dialogue that occurred over several hundred years between the Yolŋu people and Macassan sailors who travelled to the Northern Territory coast to harvest trepang (sea cucumber). Gulumbu Yunupiŋu was an accomplished artist, whose work included bark, larrakitj, weaving and shell jewellery. She was also an acknowledged traditional healer and linguist, establishing the Dilthan Yolngunha Healing centre, and contributed to the translation of the Bible into Gumatj.
Gulumbu Yunupiŋu’s works diverged from the traditional practice of painting sacred clan designs, painting instead Garak (the universe) and its stars and galaxies – weaving together her deep knowledge of country and traditional Gumatj stories of the Seven Sisters (Pleiades), and other constellations. Rachel Kent, Chief Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art writes: “Gulumbu Yunupingu’s art is infused with the knowledge of her people and a strong belief in the unity of humankind – “all around, every tribe, every colour” – gathered under the protective gaze of the stars above.”
Image: Installation of Gulumbu Yunupiŋu’s work Gurrurru, 2011, in the Hedley Bull Building, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs
