Mutitjpuy Munuŋgurr | National Museum of Australia

Djapu clan, Dhuwa moiety

Black and white photograph portrait of a man. - click to view larger image — Mutitjpuy Munuŋgurr

1932–1993

Mutitjpuy is the first bark painter to win the National Aboriginal Art Award at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, in 1990.

He was known as a philosopher and had the authority to paint both Dhuwa and Yirritja subjects, and was the son of Woŋgu Munuŋgurr (about 1874–1958), the renowned Djapu leader and warrior.

At a young age Mutitjpuy moved to Yirrkala, where he was raised and tutored by Mawalan Marika.

He was also influenced by his father-in-law, Muŋgurrawuy Yunupiŋu, who introduced him to Yirritja law. Mutitjpuy’s paintings featured in Art of the Dreamtime at the Art Gallery of South Australia in 1974, and The Inspired Dream at the World Expo, Brisbane, in 1988.

Paintings in the exhibition

A bark painting worked with ochres on bark. It depicts a large black shark in the centre surrounded by four black birds, two goannas and a large yellow bird. The painting is divided into six sections by bands of arrows and crosshatching. The painting has a background of diagonally striped bands of crosshatching within these sections. - click to view larger image — *The Djan'kawu in Djapu Clan Territory with Mäna the Shark*

A bark painting worked with ochres on bark. The painting is divided into a number of panels.The central panel depicts a black dugong with a brown shield to each side. Another panel features two hunters in a boat spearing the central dugong while another features two men with a spear, a club and other weapons. Other panels feature dugongs painted in black, brown and yellow. - click to view larger image — *The Fire Dreaming at Yathikpa*

Dick Nguleingulei Murrumurru

Bardayal Nadjamerrek

Najombolmi

Paddy Compass Namatbara

January Nangunyari Namiridali

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All these bark paintings are part of the National Museum of Australia’s collection. © the artist or the artist’s estate, licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency 2013, unless otherwise specified. These images must not be reproduced in any form without permission.

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