John Mawurndjul: I am the old and the new, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2018. Photograph: Alex Torcutti
As part of the major survey exhibition of John Mawurndjul’s work at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, a richly illustrated 400-page book has been released which contains a comprehensive overview of the artist’s practice.
John Mawurndjul: I am the old and the new reunites works of art from national and international collections made across a 40-year period. John Mawurndjul AM (born 1952, Kubukkan near Marrkolidjban, western Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia) has led the development of this exhibition, which describes in Kuninjku (and English) his places of special cultural significance known as kunred, as well as the sacred places and spirits – or Djang – that resurface time and time again in his art-making. We also encounter the animals and spirit beings that populate these locations including female water spirits (yawkyawk), rainbow serpents (ngalyod) and mischievous mimih spirits.
Co-published by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and the Art Gallery of South Australia.
24.5 x 29cm
Hardcover
410 pages