Raymond Bulumbula and Mrs. Gorriyindi (Wobulkarra/Yolngu) visited Kluge-Ruhe in September 2017 with Milingimbi art center manager Chris Durkin to reconnect with artworks from their community in the Kluge-Ruhe Collection. Bulumbula and his wife conducted in-depth research and provided interpretation of artworks from Milingimbi. They also presented an artist talk, led a hands-on community workshop, guest-lectured to UVA classes, and made a marratjiri pole in collaboration with UVA sculpture students under the direction of Professor William Bennett. This visit was organized as a result of the Milingimibi Makarrata and was made possible by the Mellon Foundation, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australian Government), Milingimbi Art and Culture and the Embassy of Australia.
Raymond Bulumbula and his wife are both senior Wobulkarra/Yolngu artists and knowledge holders in their community of Milingimbi, a small island off the remote northern coast of Australia. After a mission was founded there in 1923, it quickly became a focal point for cross cultural and artistic contact and research. Community life is underpinned by the continuation of cultural practices and the making of artwork is a key part of this. Artistic practice inhabits a prominent place in Yolngu society and is core to governance and title, to country and ceremony, and unity and identity. The local art center, Milingimbi Art and Culture, is one of Australia’s premiere Aboriginal art and cultural organizations and has played an integral role in this opportunity.
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