We are at last being recognised as the indigenous people of this country whom must share in its future. This is not a day of national mourning for us. We must leave history behind us and look forward.
Galarrwuy YunupinguRead
When we paint, whether it is on our bodies for ceremony or on bark or canvas for the market, we're not just painting for fun or profit, we're painting as we always have done to demonstrate our continuing link with our country and the rights and responsibilities we have to it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Painting is a means of expressing our connection to the land and our responsibilities as its stewards.
In this quote, Galarrwuy Yunupingu emphasizes that painting transcends mere enjoyment or commerce; it is a profound act rooted in cultural identity and a responsibility towards one’s country. The act of painting serves as a medium to convey a deep, enduring relationship with the land, reflecting both rights and duties to nurture and honor it.
Themes
ArtPaintingIdentityResponsibilityCultureConnection
In practice
Example use cases
During an art exhibition, I quoted this to emphasize the deeper meaning behind indigenous art.
More from Galarrwuy Yunupingu
All quotes →Similar quotes
When you have a large space to conquer, the curve is the natural solution.
Oscar NiemeyerRead
All of the significant art of today stems from Conceptual art. This includes the art of installation, political, feminist and socially directed art.
Sol LewittRead
Luck is everything... My good luck in life was to be a really frightened person. I'm fortunate to be a coward, to have a low threshold of fear, because a hero couldn't make a good suspense film.
Alfred HitchcockRead
I think we're going to enter a phase where there's less interest in the CGI and there's a demand for story again. I think we've dropped the ball a little bit on stories for the sake of the amazing toys that we've played with.
Peter JacksonRead
A lot of the shadow self is the home of poetry, story, prayer. My deepest understandings are often released from the part of me of which I am least aware most of the time.
Madeleine L'EngleRead
Isn’t every human being both a scientist and an artist; and in writing of human experience, isn’t there a good deal to be said for recognizing that fact and for using both methods?
James AgeeRead