Baratjala

Noŋgirrŋa Marawili paints with courage and conviction. Her commanding works are imbued with an immense knowledge of Country rendered with passion. Hers is not an art of precision and exactidude, but one of verve and vigour. Noŋgirrŋa is interested in the atmospheric effects created as Country is brought to life through the movement of wind, water or unseen forces. She is not just documenting sites in Country, but capturing the dynamism of a living landscape.

Marawili began her career as a printmaker, but in recent years has further honed her skills in painting and dramatically altered her practice. Marawili paints alongside Nyapanyapa Yunupiŋu at Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka in Yirrkala and together these ladies are forging a new identity for painting in the region. Within painting traditions of north-eastern Arnhem Land, the continual reduction of imagery in Marawili’s work and the restraint she shows in retaining bold areas of background painting, devoid of detailing, are courageous. While Marawili does not break with tradition, she certainly pushes at its boundaries.