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Open: Wed-Sat 11am-6pm, Tue by appointment

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Artist: Rerrkirrwaŋa Munuŋgurr

D Lan Galleries presents The Ancestral Hearth, the first international solo exhibition of Yolŋu artist Rerrkirrwaŋa Munuŋgurr. From northeast Arnhem Land, Rerrkirrwaŋa is the daughter of acclaimed artists Djutjatjutja Munuŋgurr and Noŋgirrŋa Marawili and comes from a significant lineage of Yolŋu artists and cultural leaders. Working with natural ochres and a finely handmade brush, she creates intricate bark paintings of extraordinary precision and luminosity.

At the heart of this exhibition is ancestral fire, a source of warmth and gathering, but also a powerful expression of family, Country and continuity. These ideas are deeply personal to Rerrkirrwaŋa, whose practice reflects a profound commitment to her family and community, and to carrying cultural knowledge forward for future generations. Her decision to remain in Arnhem Land rather than travel to New York for this exhibition speaks beautifully to these priorities: choosing to be close to her family and community at home. The Ancestral Hearth celebrates this sense of connection- a place where family gathers, knowledge is shared, and culture is cared for and carried forward.

It is particularly meaningful to present Rerrkirrwaŋa’s first international solo exhibition in New York following her inclusion in Maḏayin: Eight Decades of Aboriginal Australian Bark Painting from Yirrkala at Asia Society New York in 2024–25. We extend our sincere thanks to Rerrkirrwaŋa and Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre for entrusting us with this important body of work. It is a privilege to share with New York audiences an artist whose remarkable practice brings together artistic mastery, Country, family and cultural continuity.

Lucy Foster
D Lan Galleries, New York

all images © the gallery and the artist(s)