MEDIA RELEASE 4 October 2017 New exhibition of Indigenous Jewellery Bulay(i) features 40 Yolŋu jewellers opens at Australian Design Centre on Friday 6 October. Bulay(i), meaning rich jewellery, treasure or gold in Yolngu matha, (language) is the first contemporary jewellery project from Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, a multi-award winning, world renowned art centre located at Yirrkala, North-East Arnhem Land. Over three workshops across 2016 and early 2017 the Indigenous Jewellery Project worked with the artists to expand the traditional Yolngu jewellery practice to include new techniques and materials such as metal. The 40 Yolungu jewellers from Buku-Larrnggay Mulka include: Marrnyula Mununggurr, Yirrinyina #2 Yunupiu, Rerrkirrwanga Mununggurr, Djul’ Djul’ Gurruwiwi, Djuwharwharr Marika, Robyn Madatjula Yunupiu, Pamela Marrawaymala Yunupiu, Mandy Y. Wanambi, Dindirrk Bridget Mununggurr, Djerrkngu Eunice Marika, Bitharr Maymaru, Sally Mothara Wirrpanda, Ganaparra Gurruwiwi, Lewina Mununggurr, Munuy’u Rebecca Marika, Wunduru Murrinyina, Djuwakan 2 Marika, and Shirley Ganaparra Gurruwiwi. "Bulay(i) is the first contemporary jewellery project undertaken by Buku-Larrnggay Mulka. It aims to fill two gaps: the lack of representation of Aboriginal jewellers within contemporary jewellery, and the lack of contemporary jewellery from remote regions within Aboriginal art." said curator and Indigenous Jewellery Project founder, Emily McCulloch Childs. Founded in 2013, the Indigenous Jewellery Project (IJP) is the first nation-wide Indigenous Australian contemporary jewellery project. IJP’s founding curator Emily McCulloch Childs and leading contemporary jeweller Melinda Young worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned art centres across Australia, running workshops on country with traditional Indigenous jewellers. In 2016 and 2017 workshops focused on documenting and expanding traditional Yolngu jewellery practice. "Everything about this project is exciting. New work from Aboriginal jewellers who are now expanding their professional skills with the help of the Indigenous Jewellery Project," said Lisa Cahill, ADC CEO and Artistic Director. Bulay(i): Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Artists with Indigenous Jewellery Project Bulay(i): Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Artists with Indigenous Jewellery Project will be opened at the same time as Biotextilogy: The Cellular Catwalk. Explore the Biotextilogy: The Cellular Catwalk website here. Media Contact: Events for Bulay(i): Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Artists with Indigenous Jewellery Project Bulay(i): Curator Talk with Emily McCulloch Childs Making jewellery on Country - Experiences on Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Images: Sasha Mununggurr tries on her first rings, Bulay(i) Project Buku-Larrnggay Mulka with The Indigenous Jewellery Project. Photo Emily McCulloch Childs 2017. Pamela Marrawaymala Yunupiŋu Barrarritja (Fish) Pendant brass and silk Bulay(i) Project Buku-Larrnggay Mulka image Emily McCulloch Childs. Shirley Ganaparra Gurruwiwi, Miyapunu (Turtle) pendant, brass, silk. Bulay(i) Buku-Larrnggay Mulka with The Indigenous Jewellery Project. Image Melinda Young. Marrnyula Mununggurr, Djapu neckpieces, 2017, natural ochres on stringybark with silk, Bulay(i) Project: Buku-Larrnggay Mulka with The Indigenous Jewellery Project. Image Melinda Young. Marrnyula Mununggurr wearing her bark neckpiece Bulay(i) Project Buku-Larrnggay Mulka with The Indigenous Jewellery Project. Image Emily McCulloch Childs. About Australian Design Centre |