Bardayal ‘Lofty’ Nadjamerrek AO
10 Dec 2010 - 20 Mar 2011
Bardayal ‘Lofty’ Nadjamerrek AO
Leaping kangaroos c.1970
ochres and synthetic polymer on bark
Museum of Contemporary Art, gift of Arnott’s Biscuits Ltd, 1993
Image courtesy Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney © Estate Wamud Namok
Leaping kangaroos c.1970
ochres and synthetic polymer on bark
Museum of Contemporary Art, gift of Arnott’s Biscuits Ltd, 1993
Image courtesy Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney © Estate Wamud Namok
BARDAYAL ‘LOFTY’ NADJAMERREK AO
10 December 2010 - 20 March 2011
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.
10 December 2010 - 20 March 2011
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.