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‘Transitions’
Historic and Contemporary Barks | Contemporary Aboriginal Forms
Aug 2022 - Jun 2023

Anniebell Marrngamarrnga’s Yawkyawk (Female water spirit) pregnant with twins 2007, installed for ‘Transitions’, GOMA, February 2023 / © Anniebell Marrngamarrnga/Copyright Agency / Photograph: N Harth, QAGOMA

‘Transitions’ charts the evolution of Aboriginal art from 1940s to the present — from early bark painting representations of the country’s ancestral creators and its fauna, to recent bold explorations of materials and subjects that reflect vibrant contemporary cultural and aesthetic transitions.

Visit the exhibition feature to map these artistic movements against regions, communities and generations, to learn more about the material innovations of contemporary Aboriginal artists.

The dovetailing chapters of 'Transitions' offer a unique experience of contemporary Aboriginal art alongside eight decades of bark painting.

‘Transitions: Historic and Contemporary Barks from the Collection 1948–2021’ was on display at GOMA from 20 August 2022 to 10 April 2023. 

‘Transitions Now: Contemporary Aboriginal Forms and Images from the Collection’ was on display at GOMA from 6 August 2022 to 25 June 2023.


Feature image: Anniebell Marrngamarrnga’s Yawkyawk (Female water spirit) pregnant with twins 2007, installed for ‘Transitions’, GOMA, February 2023 / © Anniebell Marrngamarrnga/Copyright Agency / Photograph: N Harth, QAGOMA

TRANSITIONS

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A work of concentric ovals in natural pigments on eucalyptus bark by Deaf Tommy Mungatopi (detail view)
TRANSITIONS

Transitions

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Dot painting on Toyota HiLux car bonnet
TRANSITIONS

Transitions Now

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Collection artworks featured in ‘Transitions’

Artwork Wandjina and Bradshaw figures this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark

Wandjina and Bradshaw figures unknown
Artwork Wandjina figure this artwork made of Natural pigments with bush gum on canvas, created in 1990-01-01

Wandjina figure 1990
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Wandjina/Kaiara figure with fish c.1966-71
Artwork Wandjina this artwork made of Natural earth pigments on bark with cane and bush string frame, created in 1971-01-01

Wandjina c.1976
Artwork Water carrier this artwork made of Eucalyptus bark, natural pigments with bush resin fixative, created in 1998-01-01

Water carrier 1998
Artwork Ngakumarl painting (Murrinhpatha totemic landscape) this artwork made of Natural pigments on composition board, created in 1959-01-01

Ngakumarl painting (Murrinhpatha totemic landscape) c.1959-60
Artwork Sacred waterholes and stars this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark

Sacred waterholes and stars unknown
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

(Dugout wooden canoe) c.1998
Artwork Native dance this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark, created in 1963-01-01

Native dance c.1965
Artwork Tribal battle in the mangroves at Sandfly Creek this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark, created in 1971-01-01

Tribal battle in the mangroves at Sandfly Creek 1971
Artwork All-bin-mix-up this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark, created in 1952-01-01

All-bin-mix-up c.1957
Artwork Coral Dreaming Pukamani design this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark, created in 1959-01-01

Coral Dreaming Pukamani design c.1964
Artwork The death of the first ancestor this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark

The death of the first ancestor unknown
Artwork Tunga (bark basket) star and moon design this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta), created in 2006-01-01

Tunga (bark basket) star and moon design 2006
Artwork Waterholes this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark

Waterholes unknown
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Bark painting of body painting c.1970
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Wandurk: Spirit figure from Gurrgoni Country 1980
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Wandurrk: Spirit figure and bird unknown
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Wandurrk spirit 2006
Artwork Waterhole at Barlparnarra this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 2007-01-01

Waterhole at Barlparnarra 2007
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Gorn.guborkbork (Mud mussels) 2003
Artwork Morning Star ceremony this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark

Morning Star ceremony mid 1960s
Artwork Morning Star ceremony this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark

Morning Star ceremony c.1960s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Dance fan 2006
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Morning Star ceremonial poles - Mularra and Buyamali 1992
Artwork Namorroddo spirit this artwork made of Wrapped bark fibre with natural pigments, created in 2005-01-01

Namorroddo spirit 2005
Artwork Lumaluma this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark

Lumaluma c.1970
Artwork Lorrkon ceremony dance of skeletons this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark

Lorrkon ceremony dance of skeletons unknown
Artwork Untitled (spirit figures) this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark, created in 1955-01-01

Untitled (spirit figures) c.1960
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Corroboree unknown
Artwork Untitled (six mimihs copulating) this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark, created in 1953-01-01

Untitled (six mimihs copulating) c.1958
Artwork Namorrgon this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 1992-01-01

Namorrgon 1992
Artwork Rarrk (Clan design) burial pole this artwork made of Wood (Eucalyptus tetrodonta) with natural pigments, created in 2007-01-01

Rarrk (Clan design) burial pole 2007
Artwork Mardayin and wongkurr (Sacred objects and dilly bags) this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 1994-01-01

Mardayin and wongkurr (Sacred objects and dilly bags) 1994
Artwork Yawkyawk (Female water spirit) pregnant with twins this artwork made of Wood, pandanus palm leaf (loop stitched and wrapped), with natural pigments, created in 2007-01-01

Yawkyawk (Female water spirit) pregnant with twins 2007
Artwork Three Yawkyawks from Barrihdjowkeng this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 1995-01-01

Three Yawkyawks from Barrihdjowkeng 1995
Artwork Two crocodiles this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 1958-01-01

Two crocodiles 1958
Artwork Snakes and mimih spirit this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark, created in 1961-01-01

Snakes and mimih spirit c.1966
Artwork Mimihs spearing a kangaroo this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark

Mimihs spearing a kangaroo unknown
Artwork Birlmu (five barramundi) this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark

Birlmu (five barramundi) c.1960s
Artwork Rainbow Serpent this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark

Rainbow Serpent unknown
Artwork Wagilag sisters this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark

Wagilag sisters late 1960s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Birrkurrda, wild honey dreaming c.1960
Artwork Niwuda (wild honey) totem this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark

Niwuda (wild honey) totem c.1963
Artwork Nguluwadu totem this artwork made of Wood (cypress pine) with synthetic polymer paint, created in 2006-01-01

Nguluwadu totem 2006
Artwork Guardians of the Deep this artwork made of Hardwood, natural earth pigments, feathers, created in 2008-01-01

Guardians of the Deep 2008
Artwork Digging stick (Wapitja) this artwork made of Wood, commercial feathers, feathers, synthetic polymer paint, created in 1999-01-01

Digging stick (Wapitja) 1999
Artwork Digging stick (Wapitja) this artwork made of Wood, bark fibre string, commercial feathers, feathers, synthetic polymer paint, created in 1999-01-01

Digging stick (Wapitja) 1999
Artwork Badurru in Gunyungmirringa landscape no. 2 this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 1983-01-01

Badurru in Gunyungmirringa landscape no. 2 1983
Artwork Mayku (two-headed snake) at Mirrngatja this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 1997-01-01

Mayku (two-headed snake) at Mirrngatja 1997
Artwork Untitled this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark, created in 1960-01-01

Untitled c.1965
Artwork Bakarra (Sacred stones) this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 2003-01-01

Bakarra (Sacred stones) 2003
Artwork Body design - wind this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 2002-01-01

Body design - wind 2002
Artwork Hollow log ceremony this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark, created in 1965-01-01

Hollow log ceremony 1965
Artwork Gurrmirringu - First man this artwork made of Natural pigments on carved wood, created in 1992-01-01

Gurrmirringu - First man 1992
Artwork Ngilipitji stone spearhead quarry this artwork made of Natural pigments on stringy-bark, created in 1989-01-01

Ngilipitji stone spearhead quarry 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Balirlira and the Macassans c.1958
Artwork Macassan swords and long knives this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 2020-01-01

Macassan swords and long knives 2021
Artwork Macassan swords and long knives this artwork made of Natural pigments on wood, created in 2021-01-01

Macassan swords and long knives 2021
Artwork Burrut'tji (Lightning serpent) this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 2002-01-01

Burrut'tji (Lightning serpent) 2002
Artwork Mundukul (Lightning serpent) this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 2005-01-01

Mundukul (Lightning serpent) 2005
Artwork Yulengor (Lightning snake) this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark, created in 2002-01-01

Yulengor (Lightning snake) 2002
Artwork Dhalwangu gapu this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 1995-01-01

Dhalwangu gapu 1995
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Dhalwangu larrakitj (Dhalwangu clan burial pole) 2002
Artwork Buyku this artwork made of Natural pigments on incised bark, created in 2019-01-01

Buyku 2019
Artwork Buyku this artwork made of Natural pigments on incised bark, created in 2011-01-01

Buyku 2011
Artwork Buyku (Larrakitj) this artwork made of Stringy-bark wood with natural pigments on hollow stringybark pole, created in 2019-01-01

Buyku (Larrakitj) 2019
Artwork Mungurru VIII this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 2007-01-01

Mungurru VIII 2007
Artwork Gan'yu (Stars) this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 2007-01-01

Gan'yu (Stars) 2007
Artwork Garak, The Universe this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 2004-01-01

Garak, The Universe 2004
Artwork Larrakitj - Milngurr this artwork made of Wood with natural pigments, created in 2014-01-01

Larrakitj - Milngurr 2014
Artwork Milngurr this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 2007-01-01

Milngurr 2007
Artwork Untitled (Buralku - spirit place for the dead) this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark, created in 1955-01-01

Untitled (Buralku - spirit place for the dead) c.1960
Artwork Mokuy lukthun (Spirit gathering) this artwork made of Wood, carved, and with natural pigments, created in 2008-01-01

Mokuy lukthun (Spirit gathering) 2008
Artwork Yalangbara this artwork made of Natural earth pigments on bark, created in 2019-01-01

Yalangbara 2019
Artwork Djan’kawu and his sisters this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark, created in 1980-01-01

Djan’kawu and his sisters 1980s
Artwork Narrbong (String bag) this artwork made of Rusted bed-base wire and tie wire, created in 2008-01-01

Narrbong (String bag) 2008
Artwork Narrbong (String bag) this artwork made of Rusted fly-wire gauze and fencing wire, created in 2008-01-01

Narrbong (String bag) 2008
Artwork Narbong this artwork made of Corrugated tin with pigment and fencing wire, created in 2009-01-01

Narbong 2009
Artwork Narbong this artwork made of Galvanised iron and fencing wire, created in 2009-01-01

Narbong 2009
Artwork Narbong this artwork made of Corrugated iron with pigment and fencing wire, created in 2009-01-01

Narbong 2009
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Narbong 2012
Artwork Narbong this artwork made of Rusted steel reinforcing mesh, created in 2012-01-01

Narbong 2012
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Narbong 2012
Artwork Valiant this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on metal, created in 2007-01-01

Valiant 2007
Artwork Holden this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on metal, created in 2007-01-01

Holden 2007
Artwork Toyota this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on metal, created in 2007-01-01

Toyota 2007
Artwork Nissan this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on metal, created in 2007-01-01

Nissan 2007
Artwork Toyota HiLux this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on metal, created in 2007-01-01

Toyota HiLux 2007
Artwork Sacrifice (portfolio) this artwork made of Colour cibachrome photograph on paper, created in 1993-01-01

Sacrifice (portfolio) 1993
Artwork cloud (portfolio) this artwork made of Inkjet print on banner paper, created in 2000-01-01

cloud (portfolio) 2000
Artwork Nganmarra this artwork made of Etched and polished water tank galvanised steel with paint, created in 2015-01-01

Nganmarra 2015
Artwork Ngaymil this artwork made of Incised conveyor belt rubber, created in 2015-01-01

Ngaymil 2015
Artwork lumination fall wall weave this artwork made of Electrical cable, light fittings, bulbs on painted medium density fibreboard, created in 2006-01-01

lumination fall wall weave 2006
Artwork untitled (domestic heads or tails) this artwork made of Fluorescent tubes with fittings, electrical cords and cable ties, created in 2009-01-01

untitled (domestic heads or tails) 2009
Artwork We see your hands guiding us to bring our weaving alive (2) this artwork made of Silk-coated wire, looped and twined, created in 2018-01-01

We see your hands guiding us to bring our weaving alive (2) 2018
Artwork We see your hands guiding us to bring our weaving alive (3) this artwork made of Silk-coated wire, looped and twined, created in 2018-01-01

We see your hands guiding us to bring our weaving alive (3) 2018
Artwork Milngurr this artwork made of Enamel paint on aluminium composite board (Alupanel), created in 2018-01-01

Milngurr 2018
Artwork Mindirr this artwork made of Pandanus palm with natural dyes, created in 2012-01-01

Mindirr 2012
Artwork Mindirr this artwork made of Pandanus palm with natural dyes, created in 2012-01-01

Mindirr 2012
Artwork Mindirr this artwork made of Pandanus palm with natural dyes, created in 2012-01-01

Mindirr 2012
Artwork Mindirr this artwork made of Pandanus palm with natural dyes, created in 2012-01-01

Mindirr 2012
Artwork Mindirr this artwork made of Pandanus palm with natural dyes, created in 2012-01-01

Mindirr 2012
Artwork Mindirr this artwork made of Pandanus palm with natural dyes, created in 2012-01-01

Mindirr 2012
Artwork Kulama this artwork made of Natural pigments with synthetic binder on linen, created in 2012-01-01

Kulama 2012
Artwork Pwoja (Pukumani body paint design) this artwork made of Natural pigments on canvas, created in 2005-01-01

Pwoja (Pukumani body paint design) 2005
Artwork Kayimwagakimi jilamara this artwork made of Natural pigments on canvas, created in 2004-01-01

Kayimwagakimi jilamara 2004
Artwork Kayimwagakimi jilamara this artwork made of Natural pigments on canvas, created in 2004-01-01

Kayimwagakimi jilamara 2004
Artwork Thap Yonk 4 this artwork made of Natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2018-01-01

Thap Yonk 4 2018
Artwork Larrakitj this artwork made of Wood with white clay pigment, created in 2017-01-01

Larrakitj 2017
Artwork Larrakitj this artwork made of Wood with white clay pigment, created in 2017-01-01

Larrakitj 2017
Artwork Wawurritjpal (Larrakitj) this artwork made of Wood with natural pigments, created in 2017-01-01

Wawurritjpal (Larrakitj) 2017
Artwork Tutini this artwork made of Carved ironwood with natural pigments and synthetic binder, created in 2011-01-01

Tutini 2011
Artwork Tutini this artwork made of Carved ironwood with natural pigments and synthetic binder, created in 2011-01-01

Tutini 2011
Artwork Tutini this artwork made of Carved ironwood with natural pigments and synthetic binder, created in 2011-01-01

Tutini 2011
Artwork Lorrkon (Burial pole) this artwork made of Wood with natural pigments, created in 2006-01-01

Lorrkon (Burial pole) 2006
Artwork Bathi Mul this artwork made of Coil-woven gunga (pandanus) with natural dyes, created in 2018-01-01

Bathi Mul 2018
Artwork Bathi Mul this artwork made of Coil-woven gunga (pandanus) with natural dyes, created in 2018-01-01

Bathi Mul 2018
Artwork Guutu (vessel) 14 this artwork made of Woven spinifex (Triodia pungens), emu feathers, nylon thread and synthetic polymer fixative, created in 2001-01-01

Guutu (vessel) 14 2001
Artwork Spinifex and Peach this artwork made of Woven spinifex (Triodia pungens), horse hair, porcupine (echidna) quills, ochres and spinifex resin, created in 2019-01-01

Spinifex and Peach 2019
Artwork Cu this artwork made of Hand-coiled copper wire and raw copper, created in 2016-01-01

Cu 2016
Artwork Ningher (reed canoe) this artwork made of Reeds (Phragmites australis) and hand-rolled string made from seagrass cord and jute twine; wood, created in 2020-01-01

Ningher (reed canoe) 2020
Artwork Burial basket this artwork made of Coil-woven sedge rushes, created in 2018-01-01

Burial basket 2018
Artwork Burial basket (with handle) this artwork made of Coil-woven sedge rushes, created in 2017-01-01

Burial basket (with handle) 2017
Artwork Bi-plane this artwork made of Coil-woven sedge grass and river rushes, created in 2006-01-01

Bi-plane 2006
Artwork Unnamed this artwork made of Lead and steel wire, created in 2009-01-01

Unnamed 2009
Artwork Mat this artwork made of Twined pandanus palm leaf (Pandanus spiralis) with natural dyes, created in 2004-01-01

Mat 2004

Related digital stories

A work of concentric ovals in natural pigments on eucalyptus bark by Deaf Tommy Mungatopi (detail view)
TRANSITIONS

Transitions

Read digital story
Bark painting depiction of the Rainbow serpent (cropped)
TRANSITIONS

Historic and contemporary barks

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An installation view of a sculptural work made with fluorescent light tubes
TRANSITIONS

A material sense

Read digital story