NAOMI YUNUPINGU
Naomi's purpose in life is to share her art and stories with other artists and with the audience. "When I sit down and paint I feel happy to paint. It makes me feel open and relaxed and more ideas come to me when I paint. I feel creative".
NAME: NAOMI YUNUPINGU
COUNTRY: EAST ARNHAM LAND
LANGUAGE GROUP: DHUALA
CLAN: GUMATJ
At just 11 years of age Naomi started helping her aunties paint and is now maturing as an accomplished artist in her own right. Growing up amongst the painters, story tellers and musicians of a large extended family, she has a wealth of knowledge, influence and culture to draw her insperation and dreams.
Main Influence
Naomi's Aunty Daisy has been an enormous influence in her formative years and is a famous Marrakulu Clan artist in her own right, a legend to inspire and coach young Naomi and youngest daughter of Dhudhiwuy Wanambi, Naomi's grandfather. This famous wood carver has displayed his sculptures at the Buku Larrngayi Mulka Arts Centre in Yirrkala and is also featured on a documentary on NITV called the “Mulka Project”. These two people are among many who have guided Naomi through her translation of her stories and paintings.
Learning to paint
Naomi was taught to paint by "the Old Man", her grandfather, Dhudhiywuy Wanambi, who handed down his stories through traditional methods. The Old man, Dhudhiwuy taught Daisy and later Naomi to create sculptures using clay, of "sugarbag man", kangaroo, and these were then used to create the images on bark. Daisy Wanambi is able to sell her art work through Buku Larryayi Mulka, and now becoming an artist in her own right, Naomi hopes to follow in Daisy's footsteps.
Exhibition
Naomi has set up a small space in an Alice Springs gallery and is currently showing her art at Yubu Napa Art Studio and Gallery. The exhibition has just 6 of Naomi's paintings: Dhuwa Guntjalal (Sugarbag Man); Marrapani (Green Turtle); Bulumainyitji (Shark); Gadhu Gadhu (Crocodile); Gapirri (Stingray); Minala (Freshwater Long Neck Turtle).
Technique
Just recently painting on her own, Naomi is creating her own style and now paints on canvas with acrylic paints, using crosshatch and her own hair. Integrating abstract designs she creates in the process of exploring her world and the arts world as an individual.
COUNTRY: EAST ARNHAM LAND
LANGUAGE GROUP: DHUALA
CLAN: GUMATJ
At just 11 years of age Naomi started helping her aunties paint and is now maturing as an accomplished artist in her own right. Growing up amongst the painters, story tellers and musicians of a large extended family, she has a wealth of knowledge, influence and culture to draw her insperation and dreams.
Main Influence
Naomi's Aunty Daisy has been an enormous influence in her formative years and is a famous Marrakulu Clan artist in her own right, a legend to inspire and coach young Naomi and youngest daughter of Dhudhiwuy Wanambi, Naomi's grandfather. This famous wood carver has displayed his sculptures at the Buku Larrngayi Mulka Arts Centre in Yirrkala and is also featured on a documentary on NITV called the “Mulka Project”. These two people are among many who have guided Naomi through her translation of her stories and paintings.
Learning to paint
Naomi was taught to paint by "the Old Man", her grandfather, Dhudhiywuy Wanambi, who handed down his stories through traditional methods. The Old man, Dhudhiwuy taught Daisy and later Naomi to create sculptures using clay, of "sugarbag man", kangaroo, and these were then used to create the images on bark. Daisy Wanambi is able to sell her art work through Buku Larryayi Mulka, and now becoming an artist in her own right, Naomi hopes to follow in Daisy's footsteps.
Exhibition
Naomi has set up a small space in an Alice Springs gallery and is currently showing her art at Yubu Napa Art Studio and Gallery. The exhibition has just 6 of Naomi's paintings: Dhuwa Guntjalal (Sugarbag Man); Marrapani (Green Turtle); Bulumainyitji (Shark); Gadhu Gadhu (Crocodile); Gapirri (Stingray); Minala (Freshwater Long Neck Turtle).
Technique
Just recently painting on her own, Naomi is creating her own style and now paints on canvas with acrylic paints, using crosshatch and her own hair. Integrating abstract designs she creates in the process of exploring her world and the arts world as an individual.
"The paintings talk to me as I paint, they give me strength and create resilience within me. These are the stories of my land, my culture and my history".
AWARDS
The Telstra National Art Award
Works submitted to the Telstra National Art Award encouraged by Sabine Haider in Alice Springs at the Central Art Gallery.
Works submitted to the Telstra National Art Award encouraged by Sabine Haider in Alice Springs at the Central Art Gallery.
"I hope you enjoy my work as much as I do".