NARRITJIN IN CANBERRA

40 minutes Colour 1981
Film-maker: Ian Dunlop
Anthropologist: Howard Morphy

In 1978 Narritjin Maymuru and his son Banapana were awarded the Canberra Creative Arts Fellowship at the Australian National University in Canberra. Narritjin, who died in 1981, was a celebrated Aboriginal artist and highly respected tribal elder of the Yolngu people of northeast Arnhem Land. The film shows them and their families at work in their University studio, producing a major collection of Manggalili clan carvings and painting which at the end of their three months' stay, they show in an exhibition. With anthropologist Howard Morphy, Narritjin also conducts a seminar for anthropology students, which the film records as a medium for the viewer to learn about his artistic techniques and their religious significance. This film works as a voice for conveying to Europeans the message of Narritjin and his clan. This film is particularly excellent in the attention given to the detail and specific meanings of the art. Narritjin himself is very eloquent. The film is recommended for art courses, anthropology courses and courses dealing with intercultural communication. Catalogue number (16mm): 4RA163 £15.

H. Morphy, 1978. Manggalili Art [exhibition catalogue] Australian National University.

H. Morphy, 1979. `Geology in Ochre', Hemisphere Vol.23, No.2, pp. 120-27.

H. Morphy, 1983. ` "Now You Understand": An Analysis of the Way Yolngu have used Sacred Knowledge to retain their Autonomy.' In W. Peters and M. Langton (eds.) Aboriginies, Land and Landrights. Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, Canberra.

H. Morphy, 1984. Journey to the Crocodile's Nest. Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, Canberra.