Untitled (3975O), Gulumbu Yunupingu
Bark painting
Provenance: Buku-Larrangay Mulka, NT.
Gulumbu Yunupingu became inspired to become an artist in later life, when she had a dream/vision one night when camping under the stars. The stories she paints, both on barks and ceremonial poles, recall the Dreaming stories of her Yolgnu heritage told to her by her parents. Yunupingu states that her art is about the entire universe, stars that can be seen by the naked eye as well as everything beyond and before. She believes that the night sky can bring people of all places and times together, in harmony: “There is healing for people,” she said, “when they see beauty.” After winning the NATSIAA art award in 2004, Yunupingu was chosen to create the re-opening exhibit for the Quai Branly Museum in Paris. She chose to paint thousand of stars on the ceiling of the museum, that are illuminated at night so they can be seen by passing pedestrians (1).