Banduk Marika facts for kids

Banduk Mamburra Wananamba Marika (born October 13, 1954 – died July 12, 2021) was a famous artist and printmaker from Arnhem Land, Australia. She was a member of the Rirratjingu clan, part of the Yolngu people. Their traditional land is called Yalangbara. Banduk Marika was also a strong voice for the environment and a community leader. She was the first Aboriginal person to join the board of the National Gallery of Australia.

Discovering Art: Banduk Marika's Early Life

Banduk Marika was born in Yirrkala, Arnhem Land, on October 13, 1954. Her father, Mawalan Marika, was a respected artist. He taught her how to create bark paintings. He was especially good at a style called rarrk, which uses fine cross-hatching lines. Banduk had several brothers and sisters, including Wandjuk Marika and Dhuwarrwarr Marika.

She went to school at the mission in Yirrkala until she was 15. Banduk Marika was one of the few women allowed to paint traditional creation stories. Usually, only men were allowed to do this. Her father and other male relatives supported her in learning these important art forms.

Banduk Marika's Artistic Journey

In 1972, Banduk Marika moved to Darwin. There, she worked as a secretary for the Northern Land Council until 1980. She also helped Aboriginal communities and worked with young people. During this time, she became a mother to four children.

In 1980, she moved to Sydney to focus on her art. She started making prints, which she loved more than painting. She also helped organize exhibitions to show Aboriginal art to more people. She was an "artist-in-residence" at art schools in Canberra (1985) and Adelaide (1986). This means she lived and worked at the school, sharing her skills.

In 1988, Banduk Marika returned to Yirrkala. She became the manager of the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Arts Centre and Museum. She also joined the local community council. She kept traveling to work with other printmakers.

Famous Artworks and Exhibitions

One of her important works is Djanda and the Sacred Waterhole (1988). This print was made using linocut and six colors. It tells a very special story for her Rirratjingu clan about the Djang'kawu ancestors at Yalangbara. The Australian National University asked her to create it. The National Gallery of Australia bought one of her prints.

Banduk Marika often included stories from her clan in her art. These included tales of the Djang'kawu, the Wagilag sisters, and turtle hunters.

She helped create a book called Yalangbara: Art of the Djang'kawu. It was launched in 2009 and explores Yolngu culture, art, and their special connection to their land. The book features artwork from three generations of her family.

An exhibition based on the book, also called Yalangbara: art of the Djang'kawu, opened at the National Museum of Australia in 2010. It was the first big show of the Marika family's art. It showed how the Djang'kawu ancestors traveled through many sites in the Yalangbara area.

In 2017, Banduk Marika and another artist designed four postage stamps for Australia Post. The stamps were part of a series called "Art of the North."

Her art has been shown all over the world, including in America, India, and New Zealand. Her works are part of major art collections like the National Gallery of Australia.

Other Important Work

Film Appearances

Banduk Marika also worked in film. She helped translate for Film Australia and for the TV series Women of the Sun.

She appeared in several films:

• Banduk (1985)
• Cactus (1986)
• Copyrites (1997), a documentary about Aboriginal copyright.

She also appeared in the TV series Flight into Hell (1985) and the ABC Television documentary Dream Time, Machine Time (1987).

Protecting Indigenous Art and Stories

Banduk Marika was a strong supporter of Indigenous intellectual property. This means making sure Aboriginal artists get credit and control over their own creations.

In 1993, some of her artwork was copied without permission onto rugs made in Vietnam. Banduk Marika and other artists took legal action. This case, known as the "carpets case," showed that copying Indigenous art without permission was wrong. The court ruled in favor of the artists, saying they should be paid for the damage. This was a big step for protecting Indigenous artists' rights.

Banduk Marika also spoke out against fake "Aboriginal" art. She helped in a case where a company was selling art made in Indonesia, pretending it was made by Aboriginal artists. The court ruled against the company.

Land and Language

In 1999, Banduk Marika began working to protect the special sacred sites at Yalangbara. This land belongs to her Rirratjingu clan. In 2003, Yalangbara was officially listed as a heritage site, thanks to her efforts.

She also gave a speech in 2010 about "Land Management and Cultural Responsibility." She was the head of a local group that cares for the land.

In 2014, Banduk Marika appeared in an SBS/NITV documentary series called Talking Language. It was about Aboriginal Australian languages.

Serving on Boards

Banduk Marika served on important boards, including the National Gallery of Australia and the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory. She was also a member of the Indigenous Art Code, which works to stop fake Indigenous art from being sold.

Later Life and Legacy

In 2020, Banduk Marika said in an interview, "Arts and country and environment are all one... It's you knowing who you are, where you've come from, where your ancestors are from. Without those ID, you are nobody. You don't exist." This shows how deeply connected her art, land, and identity were.

Banduk Marika passed away on July 12, 2021, at the age of 66.

Awards and Recognition

• A photo of Banduk Marika taken by Anne Zahalka in 1990 is kept at the National Portrait Gallery of Australia.
• In 2001, she won the Red Ochre Award for her amazing work in visual arts. This award celebrates people who have made a huge difference to Indigenous arts and culture.
• In 2005, she won the bark painting prize at the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards for her painting Yalangbara.
• Her book, Yalangbara: Art of the Djang'kawu, won an award in 2009.
• In 2018, Flinders University gave her an honorary doctorate. This was to recognize her great work as an artist and a cultural leader for the Yolngu people.
• In 2019, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). This is a high honor for her important contributions to art, especially printmaking and bark painting, and for her work as a cultural advisor.
• In 2020, she was featured in an ABC TV series called This Place: Artist Series. It showed her work, her land, and her community.
• Also in 2020, she was honored as "Senior Territorian of the Year."

See also

• People with the surname Marika