Gawarrin Gumana Yirrkala Bark Painter
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Style
Gawarrin Bark Paintings are a combination of crosshatched sections interspersed with totemic animals. Totemic animals include: fresh water turtles, fresh water prawns, fish and cranes. Many of these barks are of Laintjun an ancestral hero. The ancestral hero Laintjun came out of the sea in the Dreaming with the sea foam forming the diamond patterns on his body. Laintjun taught the Dalwangu Clan how to paint the diamond pattern and the meaning of them. When Laintjun first arrived from the sea as an ancestral spirit, he assumed a human form. He later searched the Arafura swamp and found and ate the “Sacred Honey Comb” and so became a spirit man. In time he became the greatest warrior and hunter in all Arnhem Land.
When he came out of the sea he brought with him all the Yirritja totems and distributed them to all the Yirritja Clans. Garwirrin inherited the rights to this song line from his father Birrikidji
Biography
Gawarrin suffered from leprosy as a young man. He moved to Channel Island leprosarium for treatment. He had to undergo treatment for more than a decade. It was during this time that he learned to paint often depicting stories of his country.
Eventually, Gawarrin returned to Arnhem Land and settled at Yirrkala. Being the eldest son of the clan leader Birrikidji he soon became an important and influential leader. He lead the Yolngu people especially on land ownership and management.
Gawarrin Gumana assisted his father in the painting of the Yirrkala Church panels.
Other Artists involved in the painting of the church panels include Munggurrawuy, Mithinari and Wandjuk Marika
His works were recently exhibited at the Old Masters Exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia.
Gawarrin Gumana Bark Painting images
The following images are not a complete list of the artist’s works but give a very good idea of his style and variety.
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