Latest news with #Yolngu
ABC News
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Drifting Clouds will play at the NIMAs in 2025
This week's Feature Artist doubles up as our 2025 NIMAs Competition winner. Taking out the Unearthed competition winning spot to play at the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs), put your hands together for… Drifting Clouds Meet the artist who only has one song out, but hundreds of thousands of views online, tens of thousands of monthly listeners on streaming services, multiple triple j staff five star reviews on the Unearthed website and a follow from the Troye Sivan (!!!) Project of Yolngu musician Terry Guyula, this force of nature first caught our attention through his debut upload just a few weeks ago. Singing in his first language, Liyawulma'mirr-Djambarrpuyngu his song 'Bawuypawuy' is not only closely aligned to who he is as an artist but ultimately, who he is as a person. Blowing us away with its uniqueness, character and charm, it rained in multiple glowing reviews on the triple j Unearthed website amongst plenty of stars also. It's a project rooted in intentionalism. Creating music for his background and story 'who I am, where I come from,' Drifting Clouds exists to 'make people feel love, power, spiritual' and above all… 'happy'. With plenty of live experience under his belt, Drifting Clouds is more than ready to enchant the NIMAs audience with his magic. It's the event that brought Thelma Plum to tears in 2023; 11 years after winning the triple j Unearthed competition to play at the event, she won the award for Album Of The Year . Who knows, maybe Drifting Clouds could be at the start of writing a similar story? We can't wait to watch history in the making! For more info about the NIMAS head here.
7NEWS
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Landmark exhibition Yolngu power comes to the Art Gallery of NSW
One of Australia's most internationally renowned arts communities is now on show at the Art Gallery of NSW. The exhibition, Yolngu Power: the art of the Yirrkala, features almost 300 works by 98 Aboriginal artists connected to Yirrkala in the Northern Territory's Arnhem Land. The collection traces the history of art from the world-renowned community and showcases the continuation of and diversity within practice from the 1940s to today. Coinciding with Yolngu Power, The Mulka Project is also premiering a major new commission in the Art Gallery's Nelson Packer Tank. The first look has been given to Yalu, an immersive light and sound experience designed to bring the colours and songs of Yolngu country to the former wartime oil bunker underneath the gallery. The exhibition opened today, June 21, and will run until October. The Art Gallery of NSW said: 'The exhibition is presented in partnership with the Aboriginal-owned art centre, Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre located in Yirrkala. 'The art centre was established as an act of Yolngu self-determination in the 1970s, in the midst of the land rights movement. 'Decades earlier, artists at Yirrkala were among the first Indigenous Australians to employ art as a political tool, most notably through the Yirrkala Bark Petitions of 1963, which were sent to the Australian Parliament to assert Yolngu custodianship of Country. 'Yolngu people have painted sacred designs on the body and objects since time immemorial. 'Known as miny'tji these designs are not merely decorative, they are important patterns that denote the interconnection between Yolŋu people, law and Country. 'Through these visual languages, artists from Yirrkala have shared art as a means of cultural diplomacy — as a respectful assertion of power in its diverse forms, from sovereignty to influence, authority and control, to energy, strength and pride.' NSW Arts Minister John Graham said the exhibition was an incredible opportunity for both NSW locals and tourists. 'This exhibition will be a rare opportunity in Sydney to experience the power and generosity of the artists of Yirrkala, one of Australia's most revered arts communities,' he said. 'I urge locals and visitors to make their way to the Art Gallery of New South Wales this winter for this exceptional exhibition that celebrates the artists of Yirrkala whose contribution to both Australian and international art, is profound.' Art Gallery of NSW director Maud Page said she was 'immensely proud' of the gallery's history with the Yirrkala community. 'We are delighted to come together again to present our major winter exhibition, Yolngu power: the art of Yirrkala,' she said. Yolngu power: the art of Yirrkala spotlights Yirrkala artists spanning multiple generations and art forms including bark paintings, drawings, prints, and sculpture in both wood and metal, alongside video works and immersive digital installations. Exhibition curator and Art Gallery of New South Wales head of First Nations, Cara Pinchbeck said: 'Yolngu power explores the distinct shifts in practice instigated by artists as a means of asserting power through art over time. 'This power takes diverse forms, from the power inherent in the sacred designs of miny'tji and the cultural inheritance of artists, to the transformation of natural and reclaimed materials into exceptional artworks and the sentience of Country as it is enlivened by seasonal change.' Yolngu power: the art of Yirrkala will be on display at the Art Gallery of NSW, in the Ainsworth Family Gallery in Naala Badu from June 21 to October 6, 2025. Tickets are now on sale alongside tickets for the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2025 exhibition.
ABC News
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Wild One: Drifting Clouds - Bawuypawuy
Conceived in the homelands of Bunhungura, ancient landscapes combine with ancestral Songlines for this week's transcendent Wild One from Yolngu artist Drifting Clouds, 'Bawuypawuy'. Drifting Clouds is the solo project of Terry Guyula, who draws upon an eclectic mix of musical genres, ancestral Songlines, Dreamtime stories, indigenous culture and life in community to create an inspired vision of First Nations artistry. Terry explains that his debut single 'Bawuypawuy', sung in his first language; Liyawulma'mirr-Djambarrpuyngu, a language of Yolngu Matha, 'is about the sea becoming rough and tough and also it is on the Songlines we dance and sing". The music video is directed by rage favourite Matt Sav, who skillfully captures the gorgeous natural beauty of Larrakia Country in all its dreamy 16mm glory. "It is a huge privilege to work on a project that is a songline from Terry's country' says Matt. 'I need to thank Zac who asked if I could help out and who collaborated on it from the start, and Terry for trusting me with his song. Also I want to Acknowledge and pay my respect to the Larrakia people whos country we shot the video on. 'This was my first time shooting on 16mm by myself with a super 16 bolex that my star dp Lewis Potts' dad jimmied with a lightswitch so we can power it with a V-Lock [battery]. Ghetto but functional setup'. Matt's ghetto/functional setup also translated into the set design for 'Bawuypawuy', with the whole team coming together to ensure that every piece of equipment was right where it needed to be. He explains 'we needed to prop the speakers up with something, and Zac (producer) said 'what about bricks? I have heaps of bricks at home'. I said 'I don't think we should use bricks, we need to carry them 500m across sand while the tide is moving fast. Have you carried any bricks before Zac?'. The next morning at sunrise, I ask Zac, what did you bring to prop the speakers up. He looks at me with a sheepish grin, ' Well if you look at the bts closely you can see us all happily carrying bricks across a croc infested creek as the tide is rising." "The funniest is about making this video, my director put me in the lake when it's cold season' says Terry. He also adds 'the BTS Crew makes me feel more confident by talking to me what to do and how to look at the camera."
Sydney Morning Herald
30-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Visit the heart of Arnhem Land
From the air, Arnhem Land is full of grand gestures: the glint of serpentine rivers winding their way through ancient gorges, a flash of terracotta earth slicing through arboreous countryside, swathes of azure ocean washing up against white sand. On the ground, the experience is no less dramatic as wetlands vibrate with the beating wings of thousands of waterbirds, while dolphins, dugong and manta rays frolic in the waters the Cobourg Peninsula. This is Yolngu Country, one of the most remote and culturally significant regions in Australia. From Nhulunbuy and Yirrkala in East Arnhem Land, it stretches west across the Top End almost as far as Jabiru, covering a distance of 97,000 kilometres. The Arafura Sea along the northern coastline offers some of the best barra fishing in the country, while rocky shelters inland protect rarely glimpsed art that's thousands of years old. And that's just the beginning of what you'll experience on Outback Spirit's 13-day Arnhem Land Wetlands & Wildlife Tour. Country, culture and adventure The tour begins in Nhulunbuy, following a short two-hour flight from Cairns arriving at Gove Airport. Built in the 1960s as a service hub for the local bauxite mine, Gove is a buzzy regional centre and an idyllic gateway to the region. Over two days in Nhulunbuy, you'll experience a special Welcome to Country ceremony on Wirrwawuy Beach, learn about Yolngu culture and bush medicine, and visit the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka (Yirrkala) Art Centre, whose artists are internationally recognised for their remarkable paintings done on bark and totem poles. This is also the seat of the Aboriginal Land Rights movement — in 1963, it was from Yirrkala that the 'bark petition' was sent to Federal Parliament in Canberra. The tour then ventures deeper into Arnhem Land, to the spectacular Arafura Swamp. Home to as many as 300,000 waterbirds, the swamp is a haven for birdwatchers. Onboard a scenic cruise, spot brolgas wading alongside black-necked storks, and listen for the distinctive honk of magpie geese. Later, a 4WD tour around the swamp offers the chance to hear First Nations guides share Dreamtime stories of Country and culture. After two nights at Murwangi Safari Camp, you'll head north-west to Maningrida on Kunibídji Country, where Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge is your home for the next couple of days. The eponymous barra are a big attraction around these parts and there's plenty of opportunity to cast a line as you cruise the Liverpool and Tomkinson Rivers (plus you'll pick up a few tips from the expert fishing guides along the way). If you're not keen on fishing, exploring the gently winding waterways under the shade canopy of the Ocean Master vessel can feel almost meditative. Later, a visit to the Maningrida Arts and Cultural Centre and Djómi Museum is an opportunity to see and learn about local artists, whose painted and woven works have been highly collectable for decades. This includes the art of Yirawala (1897–1976), the first Indigenous artist to have work included in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia. There's more to come for art lovers as the tour moves from Maningrida to Mount Borradaile, where you'll jump in open-back vehicles to explore the hidden rock-art galleries that depict traditional Aboriginal life over thousands of years. Here, you'll witness the breathtaking Rainbow Serpent, the largest known depiction of this powerful creation spirit in Australia, stretching over six metres. This more-than-50,000-year-old painting was kept secret by the local Amurdak people until its reveal in 1987.
Korea Herald
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Let There Be Light: Vivid Sydney 2025 Kicks Off
SYDNEY, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Harbour City has awakened in colour and creativity tonight as Vivid Sydney 2025, Australia's largest event, has officially begun for its 15 th year. Under this year's theme of Dream, a world class curation of Light, Ideas, Music and Food await festivalgoers over 23 nights, until Saturday, 14 June. This year, the festival comprises over 200 events across five unique zones around the city's CBD, all designed to inspire wonder, expand thinking and give each visitor the opportunity to see Sydney in a new light. Making Vivid Sydney more accessible than ever, over 75 per cent of this year's program is free to enjoy, including the entire Vivid Light Walk, Martin Place also makes a welcome return to the festival footprint after a seven-year absence. This year, the world's biggest names in entertainment, food, and pop culture will feature, including, Martha Stewart, Nigella Lawson, Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, plus Portishead's Beth Gibbons. Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said, "Sydney is ready to shine! As we mark 15 years, this world-class event continues to showcase the very best destinations and creative talent our city has to offer. "Vivid Sydney continues to grow in scale and impact, drawing millions of visitors and reinforcing Sydney's position as the premier destination in the Asia Pacific. "With over 75 per cent of the program free to attend and the entire Vivid Light Walk open to everyone, it is one of the most accessible events in the country, and this year's program has something for everyone. "It's a festival that unites communities, supports local businesses and boosts our visitor and night-time economies. We can't wait to see the city light up tonight!" Vivid Sydney 2025 kicked off at Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay for the annual First Light ceremony, featuring performances by NAISDA dancers that honoured Yolngu culture in Arnhem Land. The ceremony culminated at 6pm as Sydney Harbour burst to life with pyrotechnics, projections and installations illuminating the city's world-famous buildings and landmarks followed by First Light Live, a free concert honouring the power and pride of First Nations music.
