bawaka-yunupinu
Homeland: Biranybirany / Bawaka
Clan: Gumatj, Rrakpala group
Moiety: Yirritja
Bawaka is the son of well known award winning artist Banduk Marika. He normally assists other artists of the family such as Banduk, Djalinda and Barrmula, but has recently begun doing his own small works.
“When I was a kid I grew up in Yirrkala with my mother Banduk Marika (a well known artist and spokesperson for Yolngu.) My mother won the NATSIA award in 2005 for the best bark.
As I grew up I watched her paint and do her lino-cut and screenprints. I learned by watching her. Now that I’m older I have come up with my own ideas. My first lino is a story about turtle hunting. I have my own ideas but I keep the story within the cultural knowledge I have learnt from my family but with my style.
I am married to Korrine Dhamarrandji and we have two children (Daydae, Richell), we live at Rangi (beach camp) at Yirrkala. I have had a lot of jobs doing building, painting, landcare and now I am concentrating on my own art.
My grandfather was the great artist and leader Mawalan Marika (c1908 – 1967), My mother’s brother was Wandjuk Marika (1930-1987) and her sisters Laklak#1, Bayngul, Dhuwarrwarr and Balngangu (Kathy) Marika. I have great leaders and artists in my family”.
