GURINDJI FREEDOM BANNERS ON DISPLAY

Charles Darwin University (CDU) Art Gallery is proud to present the Gurindji freedom banners from 20 April until 15 July 2023, which tell the story of the historic Wave Hill Walk-off in 1966.

The exhibition will be opened today by Gurindji/Malngin artist and cultural leader, Leah Leaman Namitja.

CDU Art Gallery is working in partnership with Karungkarni Art and Culture on the project.

The 10 iconic banners tell the Gurindji account of when Vincent Jurlama Lingiari AM went on strike with Gurindji, Ngarinyman, Mudburra, Bilinarra and Warlpiri workers from Wave Hill Station, located in the Victoria River District on the northern edge of the Tanami Desert.

Created with applique textiles and hand painted cloth, the banners were part of a community cultural development project funded by the Australia Council for the Arts in 2000.

The banners were originally launched at Gurindji Freedom Day on 18 August 2000 at Wattie Creek and unveiled at the 5th Annual Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture by the Right Honourable Malcolm Fraser at Charles Darwin University Amphitheatre on 24 August 2000.

Karungkarni Art and Culture Aboriginal Art Corporation are custodians of the banners for the Gurindji people but have an agreement with Charles Darwin University Art Collection to care for the banners temporarily.

The full story from Charles Darwin University can be accessed here