https://www.facebook.com/1858282644383746/

Djomi Museum

Home
Australia
Maningrida, NT
Djomi Museum

The Djomi Museum is an Aboriginal owned and managed cultural keeping place in Maningrida, Arnhem Land.

It houses a collection of bark paintings collected and donated, ceremonial objects, woven works, sculpture and photographs. The building which houses the Djomi Museum was first constructed in 1965 with Federal Government funding and used as a domestic training centre for young Aboriginal women. In the early 1970s it became the offices of the Outstation Resource Centre which later became the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation. The building was later used as the art and craft centre until it became the Djomi Museum in 1980. There were major renovations in 1995-1996 funded by ATSIC, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation and the Maningrida Progress Association.

06/08/2026

Exciting times ahead!

Stage One of the Djomi Museum new build underway.

06/07/2026

As part of our recent trip to Paris we were able to attend to opening of Weaving Our Stories at IDAIA

The exhibition which showcases the work of artists from four arts centres in Arnhem Land – Bábbarra Women’s Centre, Maningrida Arts Centre, Bula’Bula Arts and Numbulwar Numburindi Arts.

The special opening included a guided tour of the exhibition, and an intimate Q and A with Kalidjan Janet Marawarr from Bábbarra Women’s Centre whose works are featured in the exhibition, and the opening reception, attended by Her Excellency Ms Greer Alblas, Australia’s Ambassador to UNESCO.

Thank you to everyone who braved the heat and attended and made this such a special afternoon.

23/06/2026

Paris, la suite…

As part of our incredible week in Paris, we were guest at Musée du quai Branly with Magali Mélandri and Jessica De Largy Healy exploring the Karel Kupka collection. Commissioned during Kupka’s visits to Croker Island in the 1960s, the collection features works by some of Arnhem Land’s most significant artists, including Yirawala, Paddy Compass Namadbara and Jimmy Midjawmidjaw.

Janet provided invaluable cultural and historical insights into the collection, deepening understanding of both the artworks and the stories they carry.

Our visit also coincided with the museum’s 20th anniversary celebrations, as well as the anniversary of Balang John Mawurndjul’s monumental commissions held within the museum. Was incredible for Janet to see her late grandfather’s artsworks up close and were able to hold a talk at the MQB discussing his legacy and Kuninjku art today

Opportunities like these are a powerful reminder of the enduring significance of Kuninjku art in France, where generations of artists continue to be recognised, celebrated and represented within some of the world’s most important cultural institutions.

20/06/2026

Bonjour Paris!

Senior artist and Bawinanga Board Director Kalidjan Janet Marawarr and Cultural Research Office Coordinator Brooke Ainscow have been enjoying a wonderful week in Paris with colleague Ingrid Johanson.

A key part of the trip included time with the Aboriginal Art Board Collection at the Australian Embassy in France The collection comprises of around 30 bark paintings, and Janet and Brooke were able to spend time with the conservators discussing their restoration practices as the works are prepared for permanent display at the Embassy.

During these discussions, Janet provided valuable documentation of the ancestral stories depicted in the paintings, as well as additional information about the artists who created them. One particular highlight was seeing Namarrkkon, a bark painting by Janet’s grandfather, Mick Kubarkku.

The visit to the Embassy concluded with a public event featuring Janet and Ingrid in conversation about the collection and the artistic practices of Maningrida artists today. The discussion offered audiences a deeper understanding of the cultural significance, innovation, and continuity of contemporary Maningrida art.

This trip was made possible through the generous support of .foundation

11/04/2026

Peter Marralwanga was a leading figure in traditional bark paintings from Western Arnhem Land which depicted important ceremonies and creation stories like the Rainbow Serpent (called Bolung or Ngalyod) and the mermaid-like Yawkyawk. The creation spirits in his paintings were the Djang who made his....

30/03/2026

Breathtaking stills and photographs by of our Indigenous Languages Australia Gamarl clan mapping project.
Senior Gamarl clan leaders at Yilan Outstation constructed an an-jugechiya* (traditional fish trap) with mundirra (fish trap fencing) during low tide.

*Indigenous language names are in Burarra language

27/03/2026

It was a pleasure to welcome students of all ages to the museum this week. For many, it was their first time experiencing the collection.

23/03/2026

Two of the Djomi collection highlights - Stringybark (Eucalyptus Tetradonta) Canoes

These two canoes were made in the 1980s by artists John Bulunbulun and Jack Wunuwun at Garmadi Outstation on the Blyth River.

To get from Garmadi to Maningrida these canoes traveled about 20kms with the outgoing tide down the Blyth to it’s junction with the Cadell River and then 20kms on the incoming tide up the Cadell to finish their journey to Maningrida on a truck.

Now at home in the Djomi Museum.
The last two photos of this post were taken by Donald Thompson in the 1930s

10/01/2025

Happy New Year! 🎉 The CRO team has launched into 2025 with an incredible start, filming alongside Chenoweth for the Gamarl Clan Mapping project.

Over two days on Country, clan members and custodians of an-gujechiya (conical fishtrap) shared their expertise in traditional fishing technology. Together, they harvested Milarl (Trophis scandens) and Dar (Flagellaria indica), essential plants used to craft the iconic an-gujechiya.

A huge thanks to everyone involved for keeping these rich cultural practices alive and thriving! AusGov Office for the Arts Maningrida Arts & Culture
*Burarra language

🍃Freda Wayartja Ali
Doreen Jinggarrabarra
Freda Ali
Maureen Ali
Stephanie Ali
🍃Milarl harvest
🍃Stephanie Ali
🍃Doreen Jinggarrabarra
Freda Wayartja Ali

📷 Chenoweth

Address

Maningrida, NT

Website

facebook.com

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Djomi Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Djomi Museum:

Want your museum to be the top-listed museum in Maningrida?