Tate Modern has acquired Milŋiyawuy by acclaimed Yolŋu artist Naminapu Maymuru-White.

The significant work, which translates to "Milky Way" in English, is currently on display in the Breguet section at Frieze London.

Milŋiyawuy is part of the "River of Stars" exhibition, curated by independent curator Jenn Ellis for Breguet's stand at Frieze London 2024.

Ellis explained the significance of Maymuru-White's work: "I am particularly excited about showing Naminapu Maymuru-White, a leading First Nations artist, because of her emphasis on storytelling and ancestry.

"Her bark paintings tell the tale of her ancestors, how they travel in a river leading up to skies and are seen in the stars, the Milky Way, looking over us. Each artwork isn't 'just' an artwork, it's a spiritual tale about connection and collective humanity," she said.

Milŋiyawuy showcases Maymuru-White's use of traditional Yolŋu techniques and iconography, while also demonstrating her innovative approach to contemporary art practice. The work consists of multiple bark paintings arranged in a constellation-like formation, each piece intricately decorated with sacred clan designs known as miny'tji.

The acquisition of Milŋiyawuy "aligns with Tate Modern's commitment to diversifying its collection and showcasing important voices in contemporary global art". The addition not only enriches Tate's representation of contemporary Indigenous Australian art but also highlights the global significance of Yolŋu artistic traditions.

Maymuru-White, one of the first Yolŋu women to be taught to paint miny'tji, has played a crucial role in preserving and evolving her culture's artistic heritage. Her fluid and unrestrained compositions distinguish her as a highly unique and innovative artist within the Yolŋu tradition.

She began painting at the age of 12, taught by her uncle Narritjin Maymuru and her father, Nänyin Maymuru. She has played a significant role in the adaptation and continuation of Yolŋu artistic traditions. Her works are held in major institutional collections across Australia and have been fea- tured in numerous national and international exhibitions.

River of Stars is the third concept by Ellis for Breguet's artistic rendezvous with Frieze. The exhibition explores the soul's journey from life to death to rest to rebirth, using sacred clan design (miny'tji) and the sandscapes of Djarrakpi. It follows Breguet's previous exhibitions on the exploration of time through ice at Frieze New York and an artistic dialogue with paleoclimatology at Frieze Seoul earlier this year.

Maymuru-White's work is also currently presented by Sullivan+Strumpf at Frieze London, October 9 – 13, 2024.