Dawidi Aboriginal Art

Dawidi Early Years

Dawidi Birritjama was born on Milingimbi island around 1921. He belonged to the Galwanuk Clan and spoke Liyagalawumirr language. He was a toddle when the Methodist built a Mission on the Milingimbi island in 1923. This was a period of strong cultural change. Many aboriginals had to balance between keeping the mission pastor and traditional elders appeased. As a young man, Dawidi worked for the mission farm and around the community constructing fences. At the same time, he was being initiated into traditional life. He gained traditional ceremonial knowledge and learned to paint by watching his father’s brother.

The Custodian

In 1956 in his mid 30’s Dawidi upon the death of his father’s brother became the traditional leader of the Liyagalawumirr clan. Dawidi was now the main custodian of the Wägilak sister’s ceremonial cycle. Not being an elder Djawa and Mungunu mentored Dawidi further into custom. Being the custodian of such an important ceremony was a huge traditional responsibility. By the early 1960s, Dawidi was able to assume his responsibilities in full. He became the primary authority in recording the Wägilak sisters in artworks. In 1961 Alan Fidock, a lay missionary and teacher arrived at Milingimbi. Fidock strongly supported the production and sale of traditional artworks. Fidock also documented Dawidi taking part in a Wurrpan (emu) ceremony with Binyinyuwuy at Milingimbi. When European collector Karel Kupka visited Milingimbi, Dawidi became his close confidant. Dawidi sold many artworks to Karel who in turn sold these artworks to institutions including many in Europe. When in 1965 Karel published a book called the Dawn of Art it features heavily in Dawidis artworks Dawidi painted at Maningrida on the mainland and at home in Milingimbi until his death in 1970. The artworks of Dawidi and Djawa were in an exhibit in 1997 called The painters of the Wagilag sisters story at the National Gallery of Australia.