Sonia Namarnyilk

Biography

Since the 1980s women artists have increasingly become involved in the mediums of painting and carving. While women had previously helped their husbands to complete the more arduous cross-hatching components of bark painting, during this period they were encouraged both by their kin and external art advisers to create works under their own authorship. Sonia Namarnyilk (1969) learned in this way from her husband Djorlom and she has developed a reputation for strong form and bold designs. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. 

The artist is also a designer at Babbarra Women’s Centre, a women-centred enterprise that specialises in the production of screen and lino-printed fabrics. Common subject matter for Mamarnyilk includes yawkyawk (female water spirits), turtles and barramundi.

Languages

Ndjébbana

Community

Maningrida

Date of birth

1969-06-03

Clan

Wurrbbarn

Past Exhibitions

Group

  • 2023
    Ravenswood Australian Womens' Art Prize, Ravenswood School for Girls, Gordon, NSW
  • 2020
    RESILIENCE: The power of the past today - Maningrida, Aboriginal Signature Estrangin Fine Art, Brussels, BELGUIM
  • 2019
    Sculpture Bolkkime – Sculpture Today : New Works from Maningrida Arts and Culture, Harvey Art Projects
  • 2018
    ST-ART 2018, ARTKELCH @ ST-ART 2018, Strasbourg, France
  • 2018
    Mardayin - Aboriginal Art von Maningrida Arts, ARTKELCH, Freiburg, Germany
  • 2018
    Mardayin – Aboriginal Art von Maningrida Arts, Art Kelch
  • 2018
    From Coast to Escarpment: Spirit Worlds of Maningrida, Michael Reid, Sydney, NSW
  • 2011
    2011 Don Djorlom and Sonia Namarnyilk; Mimihs and Yawkyawks, Seva Frangos Gallery, Subiaco, Australia, NULL
  • 2009
    2009 Works in Season:, Works in Season: Bark Paintings, Carvings & Weavings, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney, NSW
  • 2009
    2009 MACD Group Show, Maningrida Group Show, Maningrida Arts & Culture Gallery, Darwin, NT
  • 2008
    2008 Maningrida survey, Maningrida survey show, Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA
  • 2008
    2008 Maningrida arts, Maningrida Arts, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney, NSW
  • 2007
    2007 Maningrida group show, Maningrida group show, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney, NSW
  • 2000
    2000, Bushcolour: Works on paper by female artists from the Maningrida region, Bushcolour: Works on paper by female artists from the Maningrida region Hazlehurst Regional Gallery & Art centre, Gymea, NSW Touring Australia and USA (2001)
  • 1999
    1999, Bushcolour: Works on paper by female artists from the Maningrida region, Bushcolour: Works on paper by female artists from the Maningrida region Northern Territory University Gallery, Darwin, NT
  • 1995
    1995, Maningrida:The Language of Weaving, Maningrida: The Language of Weaving A.E.T.A Touring Exhibition throughout Australia and New Zealand