- Artist: Marrirra Marawili
- Art Centre: Buku Larrnggay Mulka
- Region: Arnhem Land
Artwork Story
Clan: Madarrpa, Moiety: Yirritja, Homeland: Baniyala
The artist’s father is Mundukul, a name for the Ancestral Lightning Snake and the Black Headed Python found amongst other places at Baraltja on Madarrpa clan land. These ancestors and places are the subject of many of Marrirra’s paintings. He is the oldest surviving son of Mundukul. His brother artists are Watjinbuy (dec 2000), Bakulangay (dec 2002) and Ngulwurr. He resides at Baniyala, his active role as chief lieutenant under Wakuthi (dec 2005) has been documented on film by Ian Dunlop.
Marrirra is also known as Gumbaniya. He has had health issues of his own, which he has dealt with in a customary courageous and phlegmatic style. As he ages his output has slowed considerably but the quality of his pieces is unchanging. It is not unusual for the arts centre to receive queries about works of his from the 1970s in collections or private hands. He recently exhibited at the17th Biennale of Sydney and 2009 Perth Festival.
Buku Larrnggay Mulka