Description
This is a Yirritja painting depicting a burala (Darter bird) and two waterholes represented by the two black circles in the top panel. The minytji’ (design) is owned by the Gupapuyŋu Ḏaygurrgurr clan and has been inspired by looking at old paintings from the Karel Kupka collection held at Musee de Quai Branly in Paris and digitally repatriated to MACAC’s Djalkiri Keeping Place for community access. The original painting was done by Ḏaygurrgurr man Boŋuwuy, who is remembered by some as one of the finest painters at Milingimbi in the 1950’s and 60’s. The painting is a result of Milingimbi’s strong history of collection, anthropological research and the continuation of strong cultural practice here today.
The artist Milaypuma learned to paint both from his older brother Norman Mungawila, and from watching his father, revered artist and Gupapuyŋu Ḏaygurrgurr leader Tom Djäwa. He explains, ‘It is important to follow my father’s footsteps… our culture has been here for a long time and we need it to keep going’.
Al barks from Milingimbi art and Culture come strapped and ready to hang
