George Milpurrurru facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Milpurrurru
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| Born | 1934 |
| Died | 1998 |
| Parent(s) | Ngulmarrmar |
| Relatives | Charlie Djurritjni (brother), Robyn Djunginy (sister), Dorothy Djukulul (sister), Gladys Getjpulu (daughter) |
George Milpurrurru (1934–1998) was an important Aboriginal Australian artist. He was famous for his beautiful bark paintings.
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About George Milpurrurru
George Milpurrurru was born in 1934. He grew up in central Arnhem Land, a special area in northern Australia. He belonged to the Ganalbingu people. This is where he learned how to create art.
His family was full of artists. His father, Dick Ngulmarrmar, taught him the skill of bark painting. His sister, Dorothy Djukulul, was also a respected bark painter. George was part of the Gurrumba Gurrumba clan. This name means "a flock of geese." The traditions and nature around his clan gave him many ideas for his paintings. George's daughter, Gladys Getjpulu, is also an artist. He passed away in 1998.
His Unique Art Style
George Milpurrurru was one of the famous Ramingining artists. He found inspiration in the stories of his home. He developed his own style, different from what his father taught him. He used the bare bark of the tree to create depth in his art. This made his paintings look very special.
He added new ideas to the old ways of his clan. For example, he mixed the cross-hatching technique of Arnhem Land with an Eastern style. This Eastern style showed simple figures against dark backgrounds. His most common subject in paintings was the magpie geese.
His Artistic Journey
George Milpurrurru began his art career in the 1970s. He started by selling his artworks to an art dealer named Dorothy Bennett.
He was one of the first Indigenous artists to show his work at the Biennale of Sydney in 1979. This was a big art event. Along with Johnny Bonguwuy and David Malangi, George showed his art at an event called A European Dialogue. This helped his art become known to many more people across Australia.
In 1985, he had his first solo exhibition. This means he had a show all by himself. It was at the Aboriginal Arts Australia Gallery in Sydney. After this, he showed his art again at the Biennale of Sydney. His work became known all over the world. He took part in big international shows, like Aratjara, which traveled around Europe from 1993 to 1994.
George Milpurrurru also helped create the important Aboriginal Memorial. He was the first Aboriginal artist to have a solo show looking back at all his art. This show was at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.
His painting The Goose Egg Hunt (1983) is kept at the National Gallery. In 1993, Australia Post used this painting on an 85c postage stamp. This stamp celebrated the International Year for the World's Indigenous People.
George Milpurrurru also played a key part in a legal case in 1994. This case is known as the "carpets case". It was about protecting the rights of Indigenous artists. It made sure that people could not copy Indigenous art without permission. George's painting Goose Egg Hunt had been copied onto rugs in Vietnam by a company. This case helped protect the unique art of Indigenous Australians.
The Aboriginal Memorial
The Aboriginal Memorial is a special artwork. It was made by twenty men from Ramingining. It helps people remember the important place of Aboriginal peoples in Australia. It also reminds people about the arrival of Europeans.
The memorial has 200 decorated hollow log coffins. These logs are used in traditional ceremonies. The idea for the memorial came from Djon Mundine in 1987–88. Forty-three artists helped make it, and George Milpurrurru was one of them. George's part of the memorial shows water lilies and cormorants. This represents the Ganalbingu people and their special connection to their land.
Where His Art Is Kept
George Milpurrurru's art is held in important collections around the world. These include:
