10/07/2026
The practice of carving and decorating hollow logs is common among several Aboriginal groups in Arnhem Land, in northern Australia. These memorial poles, known by various names including ḻarrakitj and lorrkon, were traditionally used as coffins to hold the bones of the deceased.
Today, they are no longer used in funerary ceremonies but are created as sculptural works. (No human remains have ever been stored in these memorial poles.) The painted designs honor the customs and ceremonial traditions of the artists’ Ancestors.
The brilliant pink tones created by Noŋgirrŋa Marawili are revolutionary. She challenges the Yolŋu tradition of painting with natural materials from Country by using magenta ink from discarded printer cartridges found on Country.
See them on view in “The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art.”
Plan your visit at → https://bit.ly/3VxaMn2
"The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art" is organized by the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Gallery of Art, Washington in association with the Denver Art Museum, the Portland Art Museum, and the Peabody Essex Museum.
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Noŋgirrŋa Marawili (Maarrpa, 1939–2023), “Djapu,” 2020. Yirrkala, Northern Territory. Purchased with funds donated by Paula Fox AO, Linda Herd and Canny Quine Foundation, Barbara Hay, and donors to the 2020 Noŋgirrŋa Marawili appeal, 2021; Baluka Maymuru (Maŋgalili, 1947–2024), “Maŋgalili Yothu Yindi arrakitj,” 2007. Djarrakpi, Northern Territory. Earth pigments on eucalyptus, and synthetic fur. Purchased with funds donated by friends in memory of Catherine Allen, 2010; Gawirrin Gumana (Dhalwangu, about 1935–2016), “Guyamirrilil,” 2003. Gägän, Northern Territory. Presented through the NGV Foundation in memory of Noel Castan by Anita Castan, Governor, 2003; Jimmy Njiminjuma (Kuninjku, about 1945–2004), “Lorrkon (Hollow Log),” 1992. Mumeka, Northern Territory. Presented through the NGV Foundation by Gabrielle Pizzi, Governor, 2003; Malaluba Gumana (Dhalwangu, 1954–2020), “Dhatam (Waterlilies),” 2017. Gägän, Northern Territory. Purchased with funds donated by
Elizabeth Foster, 2018; Noŋgirrŋa Marawili (Maarrpa, 1939–2023), “Djapu,” 2020. Yirrkala, Northern Territory. Purchased with funds donated by Paula Fox AO, Linda Herd and Canny Quine Foundation, Barbara Hay, and donors to the 2020 Noŋgirrŋa Marawili appeal, 2021; Paddy Fordham Wainburranga (Rembarrnga, about 1938–2006), “Hollow Log Coffin,” 1989. Beswick Station, Northern Territory. Purchased from Admission Funds, 1992; Charlie Djurritjini (Ganalbingu, born 1952), “Warrnyu Dhawu (Flying Fox Story),” 2018. Ramingining, Northern Territory. Purchased with funds donated by Professor Ian J. McNiven, 2022; Naminapu Maymuru-White (Maŋgalili, born 1952), “Milŋiyawuy (The Milky Way),” 2018. Djarrakpi, Northern Territory. Purchased, NGV Supporters of Indigenous Art, 2018; Dhambit Munuŋgurr (Djapu, born 1968), “Bäru lll,” 2020. Yirrkala, Northern Territory. Purchased with funds donated by Orloff Family Charitable Trust, 2021; Dhambit Munuŋgurr (Djapu, born 1968), “Gurtha,” 2020. Yirrkala, Northern Territory. Purchased with funds donated by Orloff Family Charitable Trust, 2021; Dhambit Munuŋgurr (Djapu, born 1968), “Milpu Milpu,” 2020. Yirrkala, Northern Territory. Purchased with funds donated by Orloff Family Charitable Trust, 2021; Wukun Wanambi (Marrakulu, 1962–2022), “Wawurritjpal II,” 2005. Gift of Mark Young through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2013; Gulumbu Yunupiŋu (Gumatj, about 1945–2012), “Gan’yu (Star),” 2009. Yirrkala, Northern Territory. Gift of Elizabeth Foster and Margaret Colquhoun in honor of their mother Madge Minty through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2014; Installation view, The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art at Portland Art Museum, Oregon, United States, 2026. Photo: Single File Studio, courtesy of the Portland Art Museum. Works © The Artists, courtesy of Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala.
