Mickey Durrng facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mickey Durrng
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| Micky Durrng Garrawurra | |
| Born | 1940 Howard Island, Australia
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| Died | 2006 Yurruwi (Milingimbi)
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| Nationality | Australian |
| Other names | Micky Dorrng, Micky Garrawurra |
| Known for | Indigenous Australian art, bark painting |
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Mickey Durrng Garrawurra (born 1940 – died 2006), often called Mickey Durrng, was an Aboriginal Australian artist. He was famous for his art using natural ochres and colors. He painted on paper, tree bark, and even logs.
About Mickey Durrng
Mickey Durrng Garrawurra was born around 1940. His birthplace was in eastern Arnhem Land, Australia. He lived most of his life on Howard Island at a place called Langarra. This island is found in the Arafura Sea. Mickey Durrng passed away in 2006 at his home in Milingimbi.
The Garrawurra family has a long history of amazing artists. Mickey was one of these talented people. He was known for using classic Garrawurra designs. These designs included images of the bush turkey. He also used a striped pattern called "kingfisher," which was used in body painting.
Mickey Durrng was one of the last senior men from a large Garrawurra family. His grandfather had seven sons, and Mickey's father, Nupurray Garrawurra, was the youngest. Mickey was part of the Dhuwa group. He was also an elder of the Liyagawumirr clan of Yolngu people. His language group was Buyuyukulmirr/Liyagalawumirr. Before he died, Mickey chose his sister, Ruth Nalmakarra, to continue their family's traditions.
Mickey Durrng's Art Career
Mickey Durrng became an artist, painting with natural colors and ochres on paper. His art career was very important. It had a big impact on the world of Aboriginal art. Mickey's artworks often showed detailed stories about ancestral beings. They also shared important lessons and clan designs. Many of his paintings focused on the stories of the Djan'kawu sisters.
One of his most successful paintings was Oysters and Waterholes. This artwork sold for US$4,298.
Mickey's first painting with bold red, yellow, and white stripes was inspired by another artist, Paddy Dhathangu. This painting was special because it was the first time a ceremonial design was painted on a flat surface. Usually, these designs were painted on people or 3D objects. This new way of painting led to his first big art job. He was asked to create a piece for Perspecta 1992 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
In 1997, Mickey Durrng traveled to Melbourne for his first art exhibition. This was the first time he left his home and family for art. After 1997 and until he passed away, Mickey traveled a lot. He went to Canada and the United States many times to show his art in exhibitions.
Mickey's artworks often featured water holes and stripes. He used natural colors in his paintings. He explained that "stripes are the authority." He also said, "colors hold the power of the earth. Sun, water, creation, for everything."
For a long time, Mickey Durrng and his brother Tony Dhanyala were the only ones allowed to paint the most important designs of the Liyagauwumirr clan. These were the Djirri-didi designs. They were painted on the body during the Ngarra cleansing ceremony. These designs use stripes and circles to tell stories about their ancestors. Tony Dhanyala died two years before Mickey. Before Mickey's death, he gave the right to paint these clan designs to his sister, Ruth Nalmakarra, and her family.
Mickey Durrng became well-known in the early 1990s. This happened when he started painting the Djirri-didi designs on bark. People liked his art because it had a clear, organized style. This style was different from some other Aboriginal art from Arnhem Land at the time.
Some art critics thought his work was influenced by modern art. They felt it moved away from traditional Arnhem Land art. However, Mickey Durrng's paintings were actually true to tradition. They showed the designs used in the Ngarra ceremony. This ceremony is a special rite to remember the dead. It also helps prepare their spirits for the afterlife. The Ngarra ceremony also celebrates new life and recalls the journeys of the Djan'kawu Sisters.
Art Collections
Mickey Durrng's artworks are held in many important art collections around the world. These include:
