Galuma Maymuru facts for kids

Galuma Maymuru (born 1951) was an important Australian artist. She was a painter, printmaker, and sculptor from Yirrkala in Arnhem Land, a special part of the Northern Territory.

About Galuma Maymuru

Galuma Maymuru was born on August 8, 1951, in Yirrkala. This is in north-east Arnhem Land, Australia. Her father, Narritjin Maymuru, was a famous artist. Galuma grew up at the Yirrkala Mission.

Galuma lived in the traditional lands of her Manggalili people. She spent time in places like Dhuruputjpi, Djarrakpi, and Yilpara. Manggalili is the name of her language group. She was married to Dhukal Wirrpanda, who was also an artist. She was also the mother-in-law of the well-known artist Djambawa Marawili.

Before becoming an artist, Galuma was a school teacher. Her father encouraged her to start painting and taught her many things. When her father passed away in 1981, Galuma stopped painting for a while. She focused on her teaching job. By 1983, she started painting again. She wanted to be like her father and teach her own children. She taught them the special clan designs she had learned from Narritjin.

Galuma's Art and Career

Galuma Maymuru worked as an artist for over 30 years. She created her art at the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre in Yirrkala. Her artworks were often inspired by the land around Blue Mud Bay. She also used the knowledge and old designs from her Manggalili ancestors. These designs were taught to her by her father.

Galuma mostly created bark paintings and ceremonial poles. She started by painting on "little barks." Later, she began painting on much larger pieces of bark.

Exhibitions and Awards

Her first solo art show was in 1999. It was held at the William Mora Galleries in Melbourne. The show was called "in memory of Narritjin." This was a way to honor her father and all the knowledge he shared with her through painting. Galuma was one of the first Yolngu women to become a major artist.

In 2003, Galuma Maymuru won an award. She received the bark painting prize at the Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award. She won for her painting called Guwak. In the same year, her art was part of an exhibition called Buwayak: Invisibility. This show featured paintings by Maymuru, Djambawa Marawili, and Wanyubi Marika.

In 2013, her work was shown in an exhibition called Found. This show featured art made by Yolngu artists. They used materials they found on the land. This idea was inspired by the artist Gunybi Ganambarr. Galuma's artwork for this show was called Yambirrku. She painted it on MDF, which is a type of wood board. This was different from her usual eucalyptus bark.

Where to See Her Art

Galuma Maymuru's art is kept in important collections across Australia. You can find her work at places like the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Sydney Opera House. Her art is also at the National Museum of Australia and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Other places include the Harland Collection, the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, and the Berndt Museum of Anthropology at the University of Western Australia.