Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporation

About This Project

About the project

The project Celebrating Yolŋu culture and art: Developing a Raymangirr and Gapuwiyak homeland story supported emerging artist Yolŋu artist – Kylie Mununggurr – to develop a children’s picture book for publication. This was a unique opportunity for Kylie to expand on her artistic practice and learn the skill of writing and illustrating a children’s story and to publish a bilingual book with cultural and educational benefits for Gapuwiyak and beyond.

Magabala Books is Australia’s leading Indigenous publisher and worked in partnership with Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts.

How we helped

The Aboriginal Benefits Foundation granted $9,000 to provide a tailored mentorship to Kylie Mununggurr over a 6 month period. The mentorship was conducted at Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts, with the support of art centre staff. The mentorship, production and publication was managed by Magabala Books.

Outcomes

Kylie Munuggurr has now completed her manuscript, which is now in the design stage, with Djambarrpuyŋu translation to be included. The book is scheduled to be published in 2024.

Magabala Senior Editor Margaret Whiskin and consultant Juli Cathcart conducted the mentorship which covered all publication processes from the initial manuscript development, brainstorming and storyboarding right through to translation, final artwork and design. Kylie was supported at each step of the way with materials and editorial feedback, notes and direction