For the people of the Garrawurra/Liyagawumirr Clan of Milingimbi, Djapul is the name for the Ngarra ceremony that they perform to renew themselves following the death of clan members. During creation time, the Dja’nkawu Sisters Dhalkurrngawuy and Barradawuy travelled throughout the lands of the Dhuwa clans of Central and Eastern Arnhem Land. Everywhere that they stopped, the sisters changed their names and the names of the clans, places and ceremonies. As they travelled the country, the Dja'nkawu sisters named places, plants and animals and created waterholes, springs and mangroves by piercing the ground with their dhorma (digging sticks) and ganinyidi (walking sticks).

To the Garrawurra/Liyagawumirr Clan, the sisters gave the colours Miku (red), Watharr (white) and Buthalak (yellow) to paint with. These colours are combined to form the bold sacred stripes of the Djirrididi design used in the Djapul Ngarra ceremony. For many years, the only artists with authority to paint the Djirrididi were the brothers Tony Dhanyala (1935-2004) and Mickey Durrng (1940-2006). Both exhibited to international acclaim. Their designs were hailed by critics and curators and their works acquired by major collections across the world.

Before his death, Mickey Durrng gathered his family to pass on his sacred knowledge. As artist and Garrawurra/Liyagawumirr elder Ruth Nalmakarra explains:
Before, he [Mickey Durrng] was the only one with the authority to paint these artworks. But before he passed, he talked to his brothers, sisters, sons, daughters and cousins and made them responsible for the stories. If we stop painting these stories, they will never happen again. We are continuing painting to pass it on to our youngest children.

Djapul brings together sculptures and paintings on bark by Helen Ganalmirrawuy, Ruth Nalmakarra, Lena Walunydjulalil, Margaret Mawarra, Margaret Rarru, Roselyn Markupuy and Susan Yirrawurr. According to Milingimbi Art Centre's art co-ordinator Chris Durkin, "These artists are passionate about their traditional colours, designs and ceremonies. They adhere strictly to these traditions in their paintings."

In bold blocks of red, white and yellow ochre, the sacred designs of the Garrawurra/Liyagawumirr Clan once more proclaim their joyous songs of creation and spirit. In the words of the revered Mickey Durrng: "These designs are the power of the land. The sun, the water, creation, everything."

The Mossenson Galleries is pleased to announce the reopening of its Subiaco gallery with this major exhibition from the artists of Milingimbi Art and Culture, Milingimbi NT. The exhibition Djapul and the new gallery space will be launched by Senator Alan Eggleston on Thursday 2 August at 6pm at 115 Hay Street, Subiaco.