Local artists in national award
A COLLABORATIVE group of artists from Manaburduma in Kakadu have been chosen as finalists in a national Indigenous art award for their artwork featuring munmalih sticks.
The Munmalih Sisters are now finalists in the 2015 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award (NATSIAA) for their artwork called ‘I am Little but Munmalih is Tall’.
A cultural tool, the munmalih is traditionally used by women to collect pandanus and palm leaves to be used for weaving, and was also used at times to pull goannas and pythons down from high branches.
The Munmalih Sisters is a collaborative arts project designed to bring senior women (Daluks) young women (Yauk Yauks) and young girls (wurdurd) together in a space that values intergenerational conversation, through creation and celebration of the traditional woman’s tool. The collaborative project is represented and supported by Children’s Ground, a not-for-profit organisation working to build strength and identity in disadvantaged communities.
“The munmalih is a beautiful aesthetic form, and a symbol of woman’s ingenuity and strength”
The women join a select group of 65 of Australia’s finest Indigenous artists as NATSIAA finalists whose work will be exhibited at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) from 7 August 2015. A MAGNT spokesperson described the munmalih artwork as “stunning”.
“It’s now in the running to win the 3D category or overall prize announced on 7 August - and it’s going to look awesome in the gallery,” she said.
MAGNT director Marcus Schutenko congratulated this year’s finalists. “The judges commented that the raw talent, strength of culture and new directions being explored by artists this year is astounding,” Mr Schutenko said.
In a statement, the Munmilah Sisters said the munmalih had always been a tool in the making of art, but never the art itself.
“The munmalih is a beautiful aesthetic form, and a visual symbol of woman’s ingenuity and strength, enabling the user to reach great heights both physically and metaphorically,” the artists said. “For the participating ‘Munmalih Sisters’ and other community members that gathered to take part in the process, the project has been very valuable and empowering in the context of their life journeys and identity.”
The Munmalih project “brings hope and powerfully nourishes a fresh collective narrative”.
NT Chief Minister Adam Giles described the NATSIA Award as “Australia’s most prestigious celebrating Indigenous artists across the nation”.
“And every year Territory artists do us proud by demonstrating the breathtaking talent they have – it’s a wonderful achievement for all who participate and a fantastic testament to the talent of the artists named as finalists,” Mr Giles said.
The NATSIAA finalists were selected by a judging panel consisting of Tony Ellwood, Director of the National Gallery of Victoria, Cara Pinchbeck, Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and painter Daniel Warbidi, the 2014 winner of the Telstra General Painting Award.
The Telstra NATSIAA was established by the MAGNT in 1984 to recognise and promote appreciation and understanding of the quality and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art throughout Australia. Telstra have supported the awards as Principal Sponsor since 1992.
“The continued support of Telstra is essential to the delivery of these awards,” Mr Schutenko said.
Munmalih Sisters Joanne Sullivan, Keina Djandjomerr, Marlene Badwana and Julie Badwana (centre) with project participants (clockwise from top left) Abel Naborlhborlh, Kimberley Namarnyilk, Graham Rostron and Ketisha Dooley.