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Lamangirra #2 Gumana, Garrapara, 132x48cm Bark

Lamangirra #2 Gumana, Garrapara, 132x48cm Bark

$3,329.00 1530+ Reviews

Original Work of Art (1/1) — they all are!

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  • Aboriginal Artist - Lamangirra #2 Gumana
  • Community - Yirkala
  • Homeland - Gangan
  • Aboriginal Art Centre - Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre
  • Catalogue number - 655-19
  • Materials - Earth pigments on Stringybark
  • Size(cm) - H132 W48 D0.6  (irregular shape)
  • Postage variants - Artwork posted flat and ready to hang with a metal mount for stability
  • Orientation - Ready to hang as displayed though OK to hang horizontally

Garrapara is a coastal headland and bay area within Blue Mud Bay. It marks the spot of a sacred burial area for the Dhalwanju clan and a site where dispute was formally settled by Makarrata ( a trial of ordeal by spear which settled serious grievance and sealed the peace forever).


During the times after the ‘first mornings’ ancestral hunters left the shores of Garraparra in their canoe towards the horizon hunting for turtle. Sacred songs and dance narrate the heroic adventures of these two men as they passed sacred areas, rocks and saw ancestral totems on their way. Their hunting came to grief, with the canoe capsising and the hunters being drowned. The bodies washed back to the shores of Garrapara with the currents and the tides, as the Wangupini followed with its rain and wind. Their canoe with paddle and totems queen fish Makani and long tom Minyga and turtle Gårun are all referred to in the songs and landscape.
Makarrata, the ritual throwing of spears at a miscreant of Yolgnu law took place here. At Garraparra sacred trees held these barbed spears whilst not in use.


Garrapara has been rendered by the wavy design for Yirritja saltwater in Blue Mud Bay called Mungurru. The Mungurru is deep water that has many states and connects with the sacred waters coming from the land estates by currents and tidal action. Other clans of Blue Mud Bay that share similar mythology of the Yingapunjapu, i.e. the Madarrpa and Manggalili also paint the deeper saltwater - the Mungurru as such. This sacred design shows the water of Djalma Bay chopped up by the blustery South Easterlies of the early Dry season.


From freshwater, the waters migrate to Mungurru the mighty undifferentiated Yirritja saltwater ocean that plays at the horizon which receives and unifies all the Yirritja coastal saltwaters in one. It is from here that the water (soul) transmogrifies to vapour to enter the 'pregnant' Wangupini (Wet Season storm clouds) which carry the life-giving freshwater back to the start of the cycle.

In many ways, the harvesting and material production to create bark paintings is an art in itself. The bark is stripped from Eucalyptus stringybark. It is generally harvested from the tree during the wet season. Two horizontal slices and a single vertical slice are made into the tree, and the bark is carefully peeled off. The smooth inner bark is kept and placed in a fire. After firing, the bark is flattened and weighted to dry flat. Once dry, the bark becomes a rigid surface and is ready to paint upon.

Collecting Barks in Yirkala

Djawakan Marika, Yilpirr Wanambi, Wukun Wanambi and Nambatj Munu+ïgurr Harvesting stringybark for artists Photo credit: David Wickens

Harvesting barks for artists to paint in Yirkala

Wanapa Munu+ïgurr, Yilpirr Wanambi and Wukun Wanambi harvesting stringybark. Photo credit: David Wickens

Firing a bark ready for artists to paint in Yirkala

Wanapa and Nambatj Munu+ïgurr firing a bark to start the flattening process. Photo credit: David Wickens

Arnhem Land paintings are characterised by the use of fine crosshatched patterns of clan designs that carry ancestral power: the crosshatched patterns, known as rarrk in the west and miny’tji in the east, produce an optical brilliance reflecting the presence of ancestral forces.

These patterns are composed of layers of fine lines, laid onto the surface of the bark using a short-handled brush of human hair, just as they are painted onto the body for ceremony.

Aboriginal Artists, Rerrkiwaŋa Munuŋgurr painting her husbands design Gumatj fire or Gurtha.

Rerrkiwaŋa Munuŋgurr painting her husbands design Gumatj fire or Gurtha. Photo credit: Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre



The artist’s palette consists of red and yellow ochres of varying intensity and hues, from flat to lustrous, as well as charcoal and white clay(pictured above). Pigments that were once mixed with natural binders such as egg yolk have, since the 1960s, been combined with water-soluble wood glues.

Naminapu Maymuru White collecting gapan white clay used for painting.

Naminapu Maymuru White collecting gapan white clay used for painting. Photo credit: Edwina Circuitt

Details currently unavailable

Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre is the Indigenous community-controlled art centre of Northeast Arnhem Land. Located in Yirrkala, a small Aboriginal community on the north-eastern tip of the Top End of the Northern Territory, approximately 700km east of Darwin. Our primarily Yolŋu (Aboriginal) staff of around twenty services Yirrkala and the approximately twenty-five homeland centres in the radius of 200km.

In the 1960’s, Narritjin Maymuru set up his own beachfront gallery from which he sold art that now graces many major museums and private collections. He is counted among the art centre’s main inspirations and founders, and his picture hangs in the museum. His vision of Yolŋu-owned business to sell Yolŋu art that started with a shelter on a beach has now grown into a thriving business that exhibits and sells globally.

Buku-Larrŋgay –  “the feeling on your face as it is struck by the first rays of the sun (i.e. facing East) 

Mulka – “a sacred but public ceremony.”

In 1976, the Yolŋu artists established ‘Buku-Larrŋgay Arts’ in the old Mission health centre as an act of self-determination coinciding with the withdrawal of the Methodist Overseas Mission and the Land Rights and Homeland movements.

In 1988, a new museum was built with a Bicentenary grant and this houses a collection of works put together in the 1970s illustrating clan law and also the Message Sticks from 1935 and the Yirrkala Church Panels from 1963.

In 1996, a screen print workshop and extra gallery spaces was added to the space to provide a range of different mediums to explore. In 2007, The Mulka Project was added which houses and displays a collection of tens of thousands of historical images and films as well as creating new digital product. 

Still on the same site but in a greatly expanded premises Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre now consists of two divisions; the Yirrkala Art Centre which represents Yolŋu artists exhibiting and selling contemporary art and The Mulka Project which acts as a digital production studio and archiving centre incorporating the museum.

 

Text courtesy: Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre




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Framing Aboriginal Art


To keep pricing transparent, we deliver artworks as they come to us—unframed and priced in accordance with each art centre. Canvas and linen pieces are rolled for easy re-stretching at your local framer. Bark paintings and smaller items from our Stretched Desert Paintings collection arrive ready to hang. Watercolours should be framed behind glass, either custom or pre-made. Learn more about Framing Aboriginal Art.


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Please note: International duties and taxes may vary depending on your country. Original artworks, classified under tariff 970191(0000), are duty-free in the United States and Canada. The UK applies a reduced VAT of 5%, France 5.5%, and Germany 7%. In many other countries, duties can be higher so please check. We recommend keeping this in mind when making a purchase.

ART ARK Reviews
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01/15/2025
PANOS T.
Greece
very professional the artwork was as expected. Thank you Guy and Tamika Nangala Cook
Tamika Nangala Cook, Ngurlu Jukurrpa (Native Seed Dreaming), 40x40cm
01/13/2025
Nina H.
Australia
Buying art online can sometimes be daunting but my experience at the Art Ark was first class. Extraordinarily helpful, extremely descriptive and left me feeling confident in the process. When my art arrived it was so well packed to keep it safe and to say I was delighted was an understatement....Buying art online can sometimes be daunting but my experience at the Art Ark was first class. Extraordinarily helpful, extremely descriptive and left me feeling confident in the process. When my art arrived it was so well packed to keep it safe and to say I was delighted was an understatement. Thank you so much
Tina Napangardi Martin, Jintiparnta Jukurrpa (Desert Truffle Dreaming) - Mina Mina, 183x152cm
01/13/2025
Kathleen W.
France
As with previous purchases, these ArtArk paintings arrived in very good time, in excellent condition, and Guy was a great help with typical customs/VAT officials in France. The paintings are beautiful, the colours more vibrant than they appear on my computer screen. Can't wait to stretch them onto...As with previous purchases, these ArtArk paintings arrived in very good time, in excellent condition, and Guy was a great help with typical customs/VAT officials in France. The paintings are beautiful, the colours more vibrant than they appear on my computer screen. Can't wait to stretch them onto frames myself - and thanks to Guy, I have the confidence to do that - and geet them on the walls.
Debbie Napaljarri Brown, Wanakiji Jukurrpa (Bush Tomato Dreaming), 122x61cm
01/12/2025
Jacquelyn M.
Australia
I’ve purchased some paintings for myself, Guy is always helpful and I love my artwork so much that I decided to buy a gift voucher as a wedding present for my niece.
Gift Card
01/12/2025
Josephine H.
Australia
Thank you so much for the wonderful packaging of the magnificent painting by Mervyn Rubuntja. Everything about it is superb. The paperwork is also fantastic. Suffice to say I knew and worked with Wenton Rubuntja when I moved to central Australia in the mid 1980s. The houses of all my friends and...Thank you so much for the wonderful packaging of the magnificent painting by Mervyn Rubuntja. Everything about it is superb. The paperwork is also fantastic. Suffice to say I knew and worked with Wenton Rubuntja when I moved to central Australia in the mid 1980s. The houses of all my friends and family as well as our own house here in Adelaide are full of Wenten pieces both watercolour and dot paintings, on board and canvas and anything else he could find! He was an incredible man and it was wonderful to read the notes. I worked in the establishment of old people’s services and had a lot to do with Wenten and the elders in his family. As you can imagine my memories of Mervyn are of a very young boy. What I do know is that he is just utterly brilliant, his talent is outstanding and everything he does just leaps right off the paper. I had never looked at Art Ark before and was scrolling through really admiring the quality of the works and whamo there was the Mervyn and my father who has two Mervyn postcard size works I bought him, is about to turn 100, and I acted FAST! – but not as fast as my father acted when he opened the package in Sydney. He absolutely loves it and I wasn’t going to make him wait one day to look at it and enjoy it. He is very discerning and an art fanatic to put it mildly. So it’s at the framers my father rushed his almost one hundred feet out the door and had already decided where it would go on his walls. So thank you for the wonderful quality and the superb packaging (only one small pressure mark on the cardboard outside but nothing deep or problematic about it) and for giving my Dad so much joy. We miss Central Australia, we were at Wenten’s funeral and the pull of central Australia is always present. We have a lovely Mervyn painting which we have yet to frame (I did not inherit my father’s capacity for speed) and we treasure it. Thanks so much. Excellent professional and wonderful. Cheers Jo
Mervyn Rubuntja, Rutjipma (Mt Sonder), 54x35cm
01/11/2025
Isobel M.
Australia
We had the pleasure of visiting Guy’s gallery in Launceston and were blown away by the stunning collection of artwork. The gallery is a real hidden gem. We purchased a gorgeous piece by the talented Audrey that we absolutely love. The entire experience was excellent—highly recommend making an...We had the pleasure of visiting Guy’s gallery in Launceston and were blown away by the stunning collection of artwork. The gallery is a real hidden gem. We purchased a gorgeous piece by the talented Audrey that we absolutely love. The entire experience was excellent—highly recommend making an appointment if you’re in Tasmania. Thank you, Guy! Izzy & Sam
Audrey Brumby, Ngura Tjuta Munu Tjukula Tjuta, 220x142cm
01/09/2025
Sara C.
Australia
Fast and friendly. Love the detail of narrative provided with the art piece. Thanks so much for my artwork!
Christine Nakamarra Curtis, Mina Mina Jukurrpa, 107x61cm
01/07/2025
Michael B.
Australia
Our art arrived home before we did and we are really happy with these beautiful First Nations art works. Our experince buying them was great and they were so well packaged. We also appreciate the information on the artists and their stories. I will recommend Art Ark to our friends. Kind...Our art arrived home before we did and we are really happy with these beautiful First Nations art works. Our experince buying them was great and they were so well packaged. We also appreciate the information on the artists and their stories. I will recommend Art Ark to our friends. Kind regards, Janelle
Naomi Kantjuri - Tjanpi Basket
01/07/2025
Michael B.
Australia
Our art arrived home before we did and we are really happy with these beautiful First Nations art works. Our experience buying them was great and they were so well packaged. We also appreciate the information on the artists and their stories. I will recommend Art Ark to our friends. Kind...Our art arrived home before we did and we are really happy with these beautiful First Nations art works. Our experience buying them was great and they were so well packaged. We also appreciate the information on the artists and their stories. I will recommend Art Ark to our friends. Kind regards, Janelle
Tanya Nungarrayi Collins, Watiya-warnu Jukurrpa (Seed Dreaming), 61x30cm
01/03/2025
ALAN R.
Australia
A prompt and easy buy, thanks!
Simone Nampijinpa Brown, Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming) - Puyurru, 30x30cm
12/24/2024
David S.
Australia
Great service. Prompt and well packed delivery. Thank you
Yawuku #2 Garmu, Bathi (woven basket)
12/21/2024
Lynne S.
Australia
Fantastic service. Guy is very knowledgeable and accommodating. I have now bought several paintings from Art Ark and can highly recommend this gallery
Lena Young, Ngayuku Ngura, 49x46cm
12/10/2024
Penny G.
Australia
Thank-you to Art Ark and to other reviewers for sharing their wonderful experiences. As promised the painting we ordered arrived the next day. I was keen to get it straight away so I can get it stretched before our local art shop closed for Christmas. Art Ark is certainly reliable in their delivery...Thank-you to Art Ark and to other reviewers for sharing their wonderful experiences. As promised the painting we ordered arrived the next day. I was keen to get it straight away so I can get it stretched before our local art shop closed for Christmas. Art Ark is certainly reliable in their delivery times. As other reviews have said, and I couldn't agree more, the paintings are brighter and so evocative in person. This painting is bought as a gift for my son's 18th birthday. Yes, it's not a traditional 18th birthday gift but it makes sense for him for many reasons. I'm honoured to share the beauty and the stories of Australian indigenous artists with our son to mark his journey to adulthood in Australia. Thank-you.
Inawantji Jennifer Forbes, Minyma Kutjara, 91x61cm
12/10/2024
Briony L.
Australia
This piece by Doreen Chapman is as beautiful in person as it was when I saw it online. The subtle details like how it is painted on a black background and the lie bits of teal, really make the painting pop! The customer service from Guy has been exceptional. It’s always a pleasure to shop with Art...This piece by Doreen Chapman is as beautiful in person as it was when I saw it online. The subtle details like how it is painted on a black background and the lie bits of teal, really make the painting pop! The customer service from Guy has been exceptional. It’s always a pleasure to shop with Art Ark.
Doreen Chapman, Untitled, 76x46cm
12/10/2024
Jean P.
Spain
Organisation très sérieuse. Toile emballée avec beaucoup de précautions et parfaitement protégée. Envoie international rapide dès la commande. Organisation garantie. Jean Pierre POLI
Renae Nelson, Mamungari, 107x46cm
12/09/2024
Michelle D.
Australia
I recently purchased an Indigenous artwork, and it’s absolutely stunning. The colors and storytelling within the piece are captivating, and it adds such warmth and character to my space. A meaningful and beautifully crafted addition to my home—I couldn’t be happier with this purchase and experience...I recently purchased an Indigenous artwork, and it’s absolutely stunning. The colors and storytelling within the piece are captivating, and it adds such warmth and character to my space. A meaningful and beautifully crafted addition to my home—I couldn’t be happier with this purchase and experience with Art Ark.
Leanne Nungarrayi Jurrah, Yankirri Jukurrpa (Emu Dreaming) - Ngarlikurlangu, 46x46cm
12/04/2024
Don M.
Australia
Thanks for my recent purchase which arrived on time and in good order. I have purchased several pieces of indigenous art from numerous galleries over the years but I have to say that the process with ART ARK has impressed me greatly. It's obvious that you run a well managed ethical and extremely...Thanks for my recent purchase which arrived on time and in good order. I have purchased several pieces of indigenous art from numerous galleries over the years but I have to say that the process with ART ARK has impressed me greatly. It's obvious that you run a well managed ethical and extremely efficient business and for that you deserve the utmost credit. I look forward to making further purchases in the future and enjoying your knowledgeable and informative emails. Regards, Don
Kaylisha Napaljarri Ross, Ngatijirri Jukurrpa (Budgerigar Dreaming), 50x40cm
12/04/2024
Helen W.
Australia
I have been purchasing magical pieces from Art Ark over the last couple of years. It is important to me that the artist is well represented and I love that Art Ark collaborates with community and not for profit centres. I have learnt so much about indigenous art and the artists of the works I have...I have been purchasing magical pieces from Art Ark over the last couple of years. It is important to me that the artist is well represented and I love that Art Ark collaborates with community and not for profit centres. I have learnt so much about indigenous art and the artists of the works I have bought. I've been able to share this knowledge with family and friends. Delivery is very reliable and fast. And Guy is a delight! Thank you for your great service! Helen Whelan
Melissa Henry, Liru, 61x46cm
12/03/2024
Chloe S.
Australia
smooth process from Quoting to ordering and delivering the items on time
Pandanus Woven Mat (75-85cm centres)
12/01/2024
Lisa P.
Australia
Piece arrived safely and very quickly. The artwork was exactly as it was advertised on the website. Extremely pleased with the whole process.
Djul’djul Gurruwiwi Susan Wunuŋmurra, Witij - Rainbow Serpent, 96x48cm Bark
11/28/2024
Tim W.
Australia
I was impressed by Art Ark’s ethical commitment to deliver economic benefits back to Indigenous artists. That my painting was delivered within 3 days after bracing myself for a three week wait, blew my mind. And the art itself? Stunning
Jennifer Mintaya Connelly Ward, Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters Story), 102x76cm
11/28/2024
Lynda D.
Australia
we recently purchased a lovely artwork from Art Ark. it was safely delivered over night! colours were true to website. thankyou!
Ivy Pareroultja, Going towards Ormiston Gorge, 36x25.5cm
11/22/2024
Stephen H.
United Kingdom
Great choice of work on the website and when it arrived looked even more amazing in real life. Easy to use website and seamless delivery to the UK arriving in perfect condition. Many thanks
Elsie Taylor, Walka, 91x76cm
11/14/2024
Jillian R.
Australia
Wonderful & fast service.
Murdie Nampijinpa Morris, Malikijarra Jukurrpa, 122x61cm
11/12/2024
Anise B.
Australia
We love this beautiful painting, thank you. A
Juliette Nakamarra Morris, Wanakiji Jukurrpa (Bush Tomato Dreaming), 30x30cm
11/06/2024
Daniel A.
Australia
We purchased 2 new peices through Guy and couldn’t be happier! His service and support through the whole process was brilliant. It’s such a great initiative what Guy is doing to support Aboriginal Art and we’ll continue to purchase with him in the future.
Helen Nungarrayi Reed, Lupul Jukurrpa, 182x91cm
10/29/2024
Bopaiah B.
Australia
The Ngalyipi Jukurrpa (Snake Vine Dreaming) painting is excellent and am very happy with the purchase. I will look at Art Ark for any further unique and individual aboriginal art or craft work.
Ingrid Napangardi Williams, Ngalyipi Jukurrpa (Snake Vine Dreaming) - Purturlu, 30x30cm
10/26/2024
Kim R.
Australia
Easy purchasing experience. All went very smoothly. Very happy with our purchase. Wilma produces the most impactful images of birds and animals. Full of character.
Wilma Napangardi Poulson, Birds that live around Yuendumu, 61x46cm
10/21/2024
Maleak B.
Australia
Really positive , very quick and prompt delivery. No negative notes.
Renae Nelson, Mamungari, 94x67cm
10/18/2024
Carmel C.
Australia
Absolutely thrilled with my beautiful woven sculpture. It arrived quickly and was carefully and thoughtfully packaged by the wonderful people at Art Ark. Highly recommend.
Nellie Coulthard - Tangki (donkey) Sculpture
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Bark Painting

It has been a fantastic experience dealing with Art Ark. Very thorough and quick in shipping the beautiful artwork. Thank you so much.

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