New Works by Artists from Merrepen Arts in Nauiyu, Daly River

To celebrate 2022 International Women’s Day, Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre proudly presents this diverse exhibition from Merrepen Arts: We Are Strong Women—Ngagurr awa falmi, lurrity napa ngannim

“Women play a leading role in both the arts and cultural identity across our region,” says new Godinymayin Chief Executive Eric Holowacz, who began in the role late last year. “The creative and visual content on display at our centre and in partnership with Merrepen Arts, speaks to that in diverse and wonderful ways.”

The Centre’s Lambert Gallery will feature over 40 works from Merrepen Arts in Nauiyu. They range from experienced Northern Territory painters with national profiles—including Patricia McTaggart and Marita Sambono—to mid-career artists Christina Yambeing and AnnCarmel Mulvien, and emerging creatives Nola Jimarin and Carmen Gilbert. The exhibition is supported by ANKA and includes painting, print making, textiles and ceramics—and curator Dr Cathy Laudenbach will offer a floor lecture at 5pm before the 10 March opening reception. 

“During March and April, as the Dry Season begins to move in, we invite everybody to Godinymayin Yijard Arts and Culture Centre,” says Holowacz. “Visit the galleries, connect with all the art, read and experience new stories from around the region, and celebrate women with us.”

Merrepen Arts is a strong dynamic indigenous art centre, firmly anchored on the banks of the Daly River, Northern Territory. Like the waterway, the centre has ebbed and flowed: always moving forward with assistance from the local women. The story of the art centre began in 1986 when a Women’s Centre Majellan House was opened in Nauiyu, 230 kilometres southwest from Darwin. The community is surrounded by small rocky hills, luxuriant wetlands, and is home to a large variety of wildlife. The centre’s initial role, driven by community development, was to provide an opportunity for local Nauiyu women to have a place to come together with their young children to make income and improve their skill base. Art soon became the focus.

Almost as soon as the centre was set up the Nauiyu women demonstrated amazing untapped artistic skills. Given painting materials the women’s latent skills became a creative centre, and Merrepen Arts was founded. The name comes from the local sand palm plant and was chosen as a mark of respect for the older women who used the fibres of the plant to make their dillybags and baskets. Over time tutors and later managers with various skills were brought into Nauiyu to assist the business of promoting and selling the art. Over the years, the extraordinary talents of the artists became known far and wide.

In 1992 a dedicated screen-printing studio was added to Merrepen Arts and in 1999 a new gallery and residence were established. By now both men and women were making art and exhibiting there— although the women have always remained the backbone of the centre (as artists, board members, arts workers, and general support staff).

This exhibition, We Are Strong Women—Ngagurr awa falmi, lurrity napa ngannim, is a celebration for all the Nauiyu women artists. Their combined talents, strength, resilience, and tenacity will be on view at Godinymayin. Curated by Merrepen Manager Dr Cathy Laudenbach, the work of six artists will be featured: Patricia Marrfurra McTaggart AM, Marita Sambono, Christina Yambeing, AnnCarmel Mulvien, Nola Jimarin and Carmen Gilbert. These powerful women work in a variety of mediums, and the exhibition showcases textiles, painting, print making, and ceramics. The strong women of Nauiyu hope you enjoy their work.