For almost 100 years artists at 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.

Yolŋu power: the art of Yirrkala showcases the extraordinary artists of Yirrkala in north-east Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, and the power of their art from the 1940s to the present. The exhibition considers the significant moments in Yirrkala’s history when artists have consciously altered their practice, developed new styles or embraced new mediums. In covering multiple generations, the exhibition highlights familial connections and cultural continuation. It also contextualises the work of individual artists within the broader school of artists from Yirrkala and surrounding Miwatj Country, whose contribution to both Australian and, increasingly, international art, is profound.

This exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive publication which offers a range of perspectives on the art of Yirrkala, from the use of art as activism to the role of cultural inheritance and the development of the art movement that has emerged from this significant community.

The exhibition is presented in partnership with the Indigenous art centre in Yirrkala, Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka.