About Karungkarni
Karungkarni Art was established in 2011 and is owned and governed by our artists, and supports the art, language and culture of Gurindji people. The name ‘Karungkarni’, refers to the important Child Dreaming hill to the south of the location of the arts centre.
The founding artists took part in the Wave Hill Walk-Off in 1966 in protest against working and living conditions on Wave Hill Station, and to regain rights to our land. Led by Vincent Lingiari and other Elders, over two hundred Gurindji, Mudburra, Bilinarra, Ngarinyman, Malngin and Wanyjirra people went on strike, igniting Aboriginal land rights movement nationwide.
Our art centre continues the legacy of those courageous and visionary men and women, providing economic and cultural benefits for the artists, their families and our community. Our work is a distinctive and genuine expression of traditional and historical stories of the Gurindji people.
Karungkarni Art supports the production, promotion and sale of artwork by local artists and is the focal point for community cultural activities. Our artwork is predominantly painting on linen and making of traditional artefacts. Our artwork is distinguished by its exquisitely precise and vibrant dot painting style.
Jinparrak, painting in acrylic on Belgian linen by Biddy and Jimmy Wavehill, 2015. This painting maps the layout of the Wave Hill Station homestead and buildings. To the lower right, the mass of circular shapes reveal the cluster of Aboriginal humpies belonging to Malngin, Mudburra, Ngarinyman and Jaru groups living on the station. Source: Yijarni, (ASP, 2016).
Aerial view of Wave Hill Station, (1953, Frank Johnston, National Library of Australia).
Karungkarni Art
Karungkarni Art is the cultural heart of Kalkaringi, a community 800 kms south-west of Darwin in the Northern Territory. Here innovation and creativity flourish to keep Gurindji art, language and culture strong. Our art centre, owned and governed by the artists, serves to pass on knowledge from old to young, to maintain and revitalise language, and to share our art, stories and culture with the wider world.
Our Board
Karungkarni Art and Culture Aboriginal Corporation is owned and governed by the Gurindji artists of the Kalkaringi and Daguragu Community in the Victoria River Region of the Northern Territory.
Our Artists
Karungkarni Art supports the production, promotion and sale of artwork by local artists and is the focal point for community cultural activities. Our artwork is predominantly painting on linen and making of traditional artefacts. Our artwork is distinguished by its exquisitely precise and vibrant dot painting style.
Contact us
Karunkarni Art and Culture
Lot 65 Buntine Highway
KALKARINGI
Northern Territory
0852
Gurindji Country