- Artist: Bawaka Yunupingu
- Art Centre: Buku Larrnggay Mulka
- Region: Arnhem Land
Artwork Story
Bawaka Dion Yunupingu (Smith) Marika
When I was a kid I grew up in Yirrkala with my mother Banduk Marika (a well known artist and spokesperson for Yolngu.) My mother won the NATSIA award in 2005 for the best bark.
As I grew up I watched her paint and do her linocut and screenprints. I learned by watching her. Now that I’m older I have come up with my own ideas. My first lino is a story about turtle hunting. I have my own ideas but I keep the story within the cultural knowledge I have learnt from my family but with my style.
I am married to Korrine Dhamarrandji and we have two children (Daydae, Richell), we live at Rangi (beach camp) at Yirrkala. I have had a lot of jobs doing building, painting, landcare and now I am concentrating on my own art.
My grandfather was the great artist and leader Mawalan Marika (c1908 – 1967), My mother’s brother was Wandjuk Marika (1930-1987) and her sisters Laklak#1, Bayngul, Dhuwarrwarr and Balngangu (Kathy) Marika. I have great leaders and artists in my family.
© Buku Larrnggay Mulka