Gali Yalkarriwuy Gurruwiwi facts for kids

Gali Yalkarriwuy Gurruwiwi (1942–2020) was a famous Aboriginal Australian artist. He came from Elcho Island, which is near Arnhem Land. Gali was a leader of the Yolngu people and a member of the Gälpu clan. He was also important in the Galiwin'ku Uniting Church. Gali was most famous for his special artworks called Morning Star poles. These poles have been shown in art shows around the world. He was also known for mixing traditional Yolngu beliefs with Christian ideas.

Gali's Early Life

Gali Yalkarriwuy Gurruwiwi was born in 1942. The exact date is not known. He was born on Milingimbi Island. His family had moved there during World War II. After the war, Gali and his family moved to Elcho Island. A new Methodist mission had just been started there.

Gali's father, Gapuka, was the last person in his clan who knew the deep stories of the Morning Star. This tradition is also called Banumbirr. In the late 1950s, the Yolngu people on Elcho Island felt their culture was not respected. So, some Yolngu leaders decided to share their sacred objects. They wanted to show that their beliefs fit well with Christian ideas.

Later, Gali's father, Gapuka, made a Morning Star pole. He did not use human bone or hair in it. This made it not sacred. He gave it as a gift to the missionaries. He hoped it would help them understand Yolngu culture better.

Learning About Beliefs

From a young age, Gali learned about the Banumbirr tradition. His father, Gapuka, taught him. Gali grew up on a Methodist mission. He learned a lot about Christianity and went to church often.

Like his father, Gali believed that Ancestral law and Christian stories worked together. He saw them as fitting perfectly. Gali said he had a special moment as a boy. He learned that Jesus is called the morning star in the Bible. This showed him that Yolngu and Christian beliefs were compatible. It also showed him that the Banumbirr tradition was universal.

Gali Yalkarriwuy Gurruwiwi passed away in 2020.

Gali's Art Career

Gali inherited the Banumbirr tradition from his father. He became a very active artist. He made and sold many Morning Star poles. As a Galpu clan leader, Gali had special authority. He was responsible for teaching parts of the Morning Star tradition to his family. He also worked to preserve the Yolngu culture.

In 2011, Gali won an important award. It was the Wandjuk Marika 3D Memorial Award. This was at the 28th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards. He was a finalist in these awards eight times.

In 2015, Gali received national attention. He traveled 3000 kilometers to perform a traditional dance. It was called the Lunggurrma dance. He danced with his granddaughter Sasha at her year 10 graduation. Gali's wife, Jane Garrutju, said he was strong in teaching his grandchildren. He taught them to balance Western culture with their own culture. In his later years, Gali made and showed Morning Star poles with his son, Trevor Barrarra Gurruwiwi.

Understanding Morning Star Poles

Banumbirr is the Yolngu name for the Morning Star. This star is often seen in Yolngu art. According to Yolngu tradition, an old woman hides the Morning Star in a bag during the day. At dawn, the star travels across the sky. It announces the start of a new day.

The bright light of Banumbirr guided the Djang'kawu Sisters. These were two ancestral beings. They traveled across Arnhem Land, from east to west. Spirits who dance for the Morning Star sing songs. These songs connect the clans who know about the Banumbirr tradition.

How Morning Star Poles Are Made

Morning Star poles are made for ceremonial dances and rituals. They are built to move with the dancer. They also show the broader ceremonial story. The Morning Star dance is often used in Yolngu funeral ceremonies. It helps guide the spirit to rest.

The Galpu Morning Star poles Gali made are long and thin. They are made of wood. Clan designs are painted on them using natural ochre colors. Bark fiber strings with feather tassels hang down from the pole. These represent the different clans who care for the Banumbirr tradition. The top of the pole has a tuft of feathers. These feathers represent the Morning Star itself.

Traditional Banumbirr poles include human bone and hair. However, the poles Gali made for shows and sale did not. This means they were not complete or sacred.

Gali connected the Morning Star pole to Christian beliefs. He said the pole's backbone points to God. He also said the feathers reflect the Star of David. Gali believed that God speaks through the sacred ancestral designs. He said he felt Jesus's spiritual presence when he made his Morning Star poles.

Where to See Gali's Art

Gali's artworks are held in many important art collections. These include:

• Art Gallery of New South Wales
• Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College
• Monash University Museum of Art
• Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney
• Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
• National Gallery of Australia
• National Gallery of Victoria

Major Art Exhibitions

Gali's work has been shown in many significant art exhibitions.

• 1996-2003: The Native Born: Objects and Representations from Ramingining, Arnhem Land. This show traveled to many places. It was at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney. It also went to Germany, Spain, Brazil, the USA, and Taiwan.
• 2009: Floating Life: Contemporary Aboriginal Fibre Art. This exhibition was at the Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane.
• 2012-2013: Crossing Cultures: The Owen and Wagner Collection of Contemporary Aboriginal Australian Art. This show was at the Hood Museum of Art in Hanover, NH. It also went to the Toledo Museum of Art in Toledo, OH.