Artist

Wulawula is a Djambarrpuyŋu Wanybarrŋa man whose homeland is a place called Garrata in Buckingham Bay. He lives in Milingimbi with his wife Margaret Balayu, a senior weaver at the art centre, and the rest of their family.  

He was taught to paint when he was a young man by Fred Nanganrralil, his second father and other senior men at Milingimbi. Wulawula paints designs from his Djambarrpuyngu clan, his ŋändipulu (mother’s clan) Gupapuyngu Daygurrgurr clan and his märipulu (maternal grandmother’s clan)Ḻiyagalawumirr Birritjama. 

Wulawula says he enjoys using his knowledge of miny’tji (clan designs), their stories and manikay (ceremonial songs) to provide for his family. He also says it is important to teach his children this through his work so they know what designs belong to who and can learn their stories.