Artist:

Nonggirrnga Marawili

I paint water designs. The water. As it crashes onto the rocks at high tide. Sending the spray into the sky. You know what I mean. That’s what I do. And also those things on the rocks that I paint as dots are called Dungunanin, the barnacles that dress up the rocks. You may think this is a sacred painting. But the paintings I do are not sacred. I can’t steal my father’s painting. I just do my own design from the outside. Water. Rock. Rocks that stand strong. And the waves that run and crash upon the rocks. The sea spray. This is the painting I do. You may spy on me and think that I am painting sacred things. This would be a lie.

Photo: Pep Phelan

Nonggirrnga Marawili (Madarrpa/Galpu peoples)
Baratjala 2016
Purchased 2017. This acquisition has been supported by Wesfarmers Arts in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum.

Nonggirrnga Marawili (Madarrpa/Galpu peoples)
Baratjala 2015
Courtesy of the artist, Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre and Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne

Nonggirrnga Marawili (Madarrpa/Galpu peoples)
Baratjala 2016
Purchased 2017. This acquisition has been supported by Wesfarmers Arts in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum.

Nonggirrnga Marawili (Madarrpa/Galpu peoples)
Baratjala 2016
Courtesy of the artist, Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre and Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne

Nonggirrnga Marawili (Madarrpa/Galpu peoples)
Baratjala 2016
Courtesy of the artist and Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre.

Search for works by this artist in the national collection.

Nonggirrnga Marawili (Madarrpa/Galpu peoples)