Dhopiya Yunupiŋu is Yolŋu artist of the Gumatj clan, living and working in Yirrkala, North East Arnhemland. Her works are inspired by her knowledge and connection to Makassan traders, the Indonesian fisherman with whom the Yolŋu people had a rich relationship for hundreds of years.
pigment on terracotta ceramic
37 x 20 cm
Dhopiya Yunupiŋu, Maŋatharra to Marege, 2023.
Installation view, Sullivan+Strumpf, Sydney. Photography by Aaron Anderson.
natural earth pigments on stringybark
49 x 98.5 cm
natural earth pigments on stringybark
87 x 65 cm
natural earth pigments on stringybark
71 x 53 cm
pigment on terracotta ceramic
36 x 23 cm
pigment on terracotta ceramic
38 x 35 cm
natural earth pigments on stringybark
76 × 51 cm
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Dhopiya Yunupiŋu is Yolŋu artist of the Gumatj clan, living and working in Yirrkala, North East Arnhemland. Her works are inspired by her knowledge and connection to Makassan traders, the Indonesian fisherman with whom the Yolŋu people had a rich relationship for hundreds of years.
In early 2022, following the passing of her sisters Nyapanyapa and Djerrkŋu and her late husband, Dhopiya began painting at Buku Larrŋgay Mulka on bark, ceramic vessels and larrakitj. Mostly focussed on using a figurative style, Yunupiŋu’s work quickly caught the attention of visitors and her first body of work titled Maŋgatharra to Marege – South Western Sulawesi to North East Arnhemland was shown in at Sulllivan+Strumpf, Sydney, in 2023.
Yunupiŋu is a daughter of Muŋgurrawuy Yunupiŋu. Her siblings include Australians of the Year, Galarrwuy and Mandawuy(Yothu Yindi Lead singer) and celebrated artists Gulumbu, Barrupu, Nyapanyapa, Djerrkŋu and Djakaŋu Yunupiŋu. Yunupiŋu is married to Djalu Gurruwiwi whom sadly passed away in 2022. Djalau is a senior lawman for the Gålpu clan and world reknowned yiḏaki (Didjeridoo) specialist. Yunupiŋu often assisted him with finding and making yiḏaki. She is very experienced with yiḏaki identifaction and is a very skilled yiḏaki maker in her own right.
Sullivan+Strumpf acknowledge the Indigenous People of this land, the traditional custodians on whose Country we work, live and learn. We pay respect to Elders, past and present, and recognise their continued connection to culture, land, waters and community.