Kangaroo and yam increase c.1970
©
All rights reserved
Image courtesy the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney © the Nadjamerrek Estate 2011 Australia
Bardayal ‘Lofty’ Nadjamerrek AO. ochres on bark. Museum of Contemporary Art, gift of Arnott’s Biscuits Ltd, 1993. Photography: Jenni Carter
BARDAYAL ‘LOFTY’ NADJAMERREK AO
MCA - Museum of Contemporary Art
Friday 10 December 2010 to Sunday 20 March 2011
Exhibition
previously on
at
MCA - Museum of Contemporary Art
in
Sydney precinct,
New South Wales,
Australia
This exhibition explores the stories and places depicted in Nadjamerrek's work, providing visitors with a greater understanding and respect for the artist’s unique traditions and origins.
Born around 1926 in the Mann River region of Western Arnhem Land, Bardayal ‘Lofty’ Nadjamerrek AO (deceased), lived at Kabulwarnamyo outstation located on the upper Liverpool River, in the stone country of the Arnhem Land plateau. This exhibition traces the influence and development of the artist’s practice and his legacy.
Nadjamerrek’s position on Western Arnhem Land art was unique. As a prominent elder he resided over clan estates with long links to cave painting sites, which trace some of the oldest forms of human expression.
Nadjamerrek’s earliest rock-art images are located at Karrmadjabdi, a shelter in his Mok clan estate on the Liverpool River, where he painted fish species, yam, rock possum and representations of Namorrodoh spirit beings by shaping bees wax and pressing them into the rock. In 1969, Bardayal began to paint on bark and paper remaining loyal to the natural pigments used for rock art.
This exhibition explores the stories and places depicted in Nadjamerrek’s work, providing visitors with a greater understanding and respect for the artist’s unique traditions and origins.
Location
MCA - Museum of Contemporary Art140 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney Harbour foreshore at West Circular Quay
The Rocks Precinct
New South Wales
Australia
