Marrakulu

Homeland(s);

 

Gurka’wuy; A small village on the Northern shores of the expansive harbour of Trial Bay with Stringybark forested hills behind.

 

Group; Dhurili

 

Language; Dhuwal

 

Surname(s); Wanambi

 

Some spiritual themes of this clan;

 

Wuyal- The ancestral honey hunter’s journey from the stone quarry at Ngilibidji through Marrakulu country and on to Nhulunbuy ties them to other Dhuwa clans. Bees, Native cat, Stringybark blossum, Frilled neck lizard are all part of this freshwater matrix.

 

Djuwany- Ancestral spirit people from Gurka’wuy. The saltwater of Marrakulu flowing out of Trial Bay to mix with the Djapu ocean engages monolithic rocks, honeyed water and mullet.

 

Djang’kawu/Djerrka songs of the same area continue the Two Sisters epic.

 

Mosquito- is a theme connected to nighttime ambush by warriors, boils and sickness.

 

Notes; One of Thomson’s 1937 pictures  shows Wawit (later in 1942 one of the members of his NT Special Reconnaissance Unit) at Matarawatj with Mundukul. His son, Munuparriwuy, (a 1963 Yirrkala Church Panels artist) is father to two current artists, Garawan and Yilpirr. One of Ian Dunlop’s major collaborators in the Yirrkala Film Project was Dundiwuy Wanambi who was the most successful Yolngu artist of the 80’s and early 90’s. His daughter Wolpa is also an award winning artist. Also appearing in this series of films and photographed by Thomson was Mithili whose children Wukun, Boliny, Ralwurrandji and Yalanba are well known as artists. Following Dundiwuy’s death in 1996 Gurka’wuy has only been intermittently inhabited. With allied clans the Marrangu and Dhapuyngu sharing the Wanambi surname there are many Wanambi’s from Groote through Yirrkala to Gapuwiyak.

Homelands

Gurkawuy

Garawan Wa]ambi

Artist

Artwork Garawan Wa]ambi

This artist is married to Manini Gumana, a daughter of Dhalwangu leader, Dhakawal Gumana who was the brother of Gawirrin Gumana AO and son of Birrikitji Gumana a senior ritual leader. read more

Yilpirr Wa]ambi

Artist

Artwork Yilpirr Wa]ambi

Yilpirr’s father was Guthapuma Wanambi (1940-1982). read more

Wukun Wanambi

Artist

Artwork Wukun Wanambi

Wukun’s father, Mithili Wanambi, died before he was able to learn from him to any great degree. read more

Djawuyma Wanambi

Artist

Artwork Djawuyma Wanambi

Father is Munuparriwuy-a famous artist of the sixties. read more

Wolpa Wanambi

Artist

Artwork Wolpa Wanambi

Wolpa Wanambi is the youngest daughter of one of the best known Yolngu artists of the 1980s Dundiwuy Wanambi (1936-1996) and learned to paint under his instruction. read more

Marrau Miny’tji

Artwork

Artwork Marrau Miny’tji

H: 0cm W: 0cm M: Earth Pigments on bark

Garawan a Marrakulu clansman says that “Wayuga brought me up so I’m also adopted to the Marrau clan” The Marrakulu and Marrau are closely related clans through madayin (sacred clan mythologies and law). read more

Marrau Miny’tji

Artwork

Artwork Marrau Miny’tji

H: 157cm W: 0cm M: Earth Pigments on hollow trunk

This work was exhibited at Garawan’s first solo exhibition held at Niagara Galleries in Melbourne. read more

Marrau Miny’tji

Artwork

Artwork Marrau Miny’tji

H: 250cm W: 0cm M: Earth Pigments on hollow log

Garawan a Marrakulu clansman says that “Wayuga brought me up so I’m also adopted to the Marrau clan” The Marrakulu and Marrau are closely related clans through madayin (sacred clan mythologies and law). read more

Marrau Miny’tji

Artwork

Artwork Marrau Miny’tji

H: 210cm W: 0cm M: Earth Pigments on hollow trunk

This work was exhibited at Garawan’s first solo exhibition held at Niagara Galleries in Melbourne. read more

Marrau Miny’tji

Artwork

Artwork Marrau Miny’tji

H: 121cm W: 39cm M: Earth Pigments on Bark

This work was exhibited at Garawan’s first solo exhibition held at Niagara Galleries in Melbourne. read more

Marrau Miny’tji

Artwork

Artwork Marrau Miny’tji

H: 180cm W: 55cm M: Earth Pigments on bark

Garawan a Marrakulu clansman says that “Wayuga brought me up so I’m also adopted to the Marrau clan” The Marrakulu and Marrau are closely related clans through madayin (sacred clan mythologies and law). read more

Dha`wau Gapu

Artwork

Artwork Dha`wau Gapu

H: 225cm W: 0cm M: earth pigments on hollowed pole

A sacred expanse of water behind the Gå]ga] outstation where this `arrakitj was produced is referred to as Gulutji. read more

Marrau Miny’tji

Artwork

Artwork Marrau Miny’tji

H: 162cm W: 50cm M: Earth Pigments on bark

Garawan a Marrakulu clansman says that “Wayuga brought me up so I’m also adopted to the Marrau clan” The Marrakulu and Marrau are closely related clans through madayin (sacred clan mythologies and law). read more

Yanawal

Artwork

Artwork Yanawal

H: 0cm W: 0cm M: earth pigments on bark

This painting is about Wuyal, the ancestral sugarbag man, an important ancestor of the Marrakulu clan of North East Arnhem Land. read more

Miriu

Artwork

Artwork Miriu

H: 297cm W: 0cm M: earth pigments on hollowed pole

This piece carries a design not often painted for the public. read more

Djarrwark

Artwork

Artwork Djarrwark

H: 204cm W: 40cm M: earth pigments on bark

This area of sea country belonging to the Djarrwark clan is known as Wukili. read more

Djarrwark

Artwork

Artwork Djarrwark

H: 0cm W: 0cm M: earth pigments on hollowed pole

This area of sea country belonging to the Djarrwark clan is known as Wukili. read more

Manybalala

Artwork

Artwork Manybalala

H: 189cm W: 0cm M: earth pigments on hollowed pole

Before the advent of modern communications, transport and rather static community living the bone remains of Yolu dead were after time placed in Larrakitj (hollow logs) as the final stage of mortuary rites. read more

Yanawal

Artwork

Artwork Yanawal

H: 313cm W: 0cm M: earth pigments on hollow log

This painting is about Wuyal, the ancestral sugarbag man, an important ancestor of the Marrakulu clan of North East Arnhem Land. read more

Mayawa

Artwork

Artwork Mayawa

H: 235cm W: 0cm M: earth pigments on hollowed pole

The painting on this log depicts Mayawa the Ancestral Frilled Neck Lizard a male mother-in-law to Wuyal the ‘Sugarbag man’. read more

Yanawal

Artwork

Artwork Yanawal

H: 161cm W: 70cm M: earth pigments on bark

This painting is about Wuyal, the ancestral sugarbag man, an important ancestor of the Marrakulu clan of North East Arnhem Land. read more

Wawurritjpal

Artwork

Artwork Wawurritjpal

H: 211cm W: 0cm M: earth pigment on hollowed trunk

A set of three rocks stand in the mouth of Trial Bay submerged either completely or partially within its waters. read more

Bamurruu

Artwork

Artwork Bamurruu

H: 112cm W: 46cm M: natural earth pigments on bark

Trial Bay is located between Caledon bay to the north and above the larger Blue Mud Bay on the western side of the Gulf of Carpentaria. read more

Bamurruu

Artwork

Artwork Bamurruu

H: 153cm W: 61cm M: natural earth pigments on bark

Trial Bay is located between Caledon bay to the north and above the larger Blue Mud Bay on the western side of the Gulf of Carpentaria. read more

Wawurritjpal

Artwork

Artwork Wawurritjpal

H: 273cm W: 0cm M: earth pigments on hollowed trunk

This pole is covered with the characteristic fish which provided some of the detail of the artist’s award winning earlier works. read more

Bamurruu

Artwork

Artwork Bamurruu

H: 187cm W: 100cm M: natural earth pigments on bark

Trial Bay is located between Caledon bay to the north and above the larger Blue Mud Bay on the western side of the Gulf of Carpentaria. read more

Bamurruu

Artwork

Artwork Bamurruu

H: 0cm W: 0cm M: natural earth pigments on bark

Trial Bay is located between Caledon bay to the north and above the larger Blue Mud Bay on the western side of the Gulf of Carpentaria. read more

Bamurruu

Artwork

Artwork Bamurruu

H: 102cm W: 42cm M: natural earth pigments on bark

Trial Bay is located between Caledon bay to the north and above the larger Blue Mud Bay on the western side of the Gulf of Carpentaria. read more

Bamurruu

Artwork

Artwork Bamurruu

H: 187cm W: 93cm M: natural earth pigments on bark

Trial Bay is located between Caledon bay to the north and above the larger Blue Mud Bay on the western side of the Gulf of Carpentaria. read more

Djerrka at Gurka’wuy

Artwork

Artwork Djerrka at Gurka’wuy

H: 0cm W: 0cm M: Earth Pigments on Bark

Trial Bay is located between Caledon Bay to the North and above the larger Blue Mud Bay on the Western side of the Gulf of Carpentaria. read more

Wayin ga Bonba

Artwork

Artwork Wayin ga Bonba

H: 0cm W: 0cm M: earth pigments on bark

The artist describes this piece as simply decorative showing fowers, butteflies and birds. read more

Djerrka at Gurka’wuy

Artwork

Artwork Djerrka at Gurka’wuy

H: 76cm W: 47cm M: Earth Pigments on Bark

Trial Bay is located between Caledon Bay to the North and above the larger Blue Mud Bay on the Western side of the Gulf of Carpentaria. read more

Djerrka at Gurka’wuy

Artwork

Artwork Djerrka at Gurka’wuy

H: 0cm W: 0cm M: Earth Pigments on Bark

Trial Bay is located between Caledon Bay to the North and above the larger Blue Mud Bay on the Western side of the Gulf of Carpentaria. read more

Yanawal at Yanawal

Artwork

Artwork Yanawal at Yanawal

H: 104cm W: 43cm M: earth pigments on bark

This painting is about Wuyal, the ancestral sugarbag man, an important ancestor of the Marrakulu clan of North East Arnhem Land. read more

Wuyal at the Wanambi Tree

Artwork

Artwork Wuyal at the Wanambi Tree

H: 98cm W: 61cm M: earth pigments on bark

This painting is about Wuyal, the ancestral sugarbag man, an important ancestor of the Marrakulu clan of North East Arnhem Land. read more

Wuyal at Yanawal

Artwork

Artwork Wuyal at Yanawal

H: 128cm W: 45cm M: earth pigments on bark

This painting is about Wuyal, the ancestral sugarbag man, an important ancestor of the Marrakulu clan of North East Arnhem Land. read more

Yanawal

Artwork

Artwork Yanawal

H: 216cm W: 0cm M: earth pigment s on hollowed trunk

The painting on this larrakitj is about Wuyal, the ancestral sugarbag man, an important ancestor of the Marrakulu clan of North East Arnhem Land. read more

Yanawal

Artwork

Artwork Yanawal

H: 153cm W: 59cm M: earth pigments on bark

Wolpa Wanambi is continuing the tradition of her late father by painting the Marrakulu sacred designs in the same pedantic style. read more