Peter Marralwanga facts for kids

Peter Marralwanga (1916–1987) was an important Aboriginal Australian artist. He was also known as Djakku, which means "left-handed."

He was part of the Kardbam clan, a group of the Bininj people. He spoke the Kuninjku language. Peter Marralwanga was born in 1916 in West Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory of Australia.

He learned a lot from Yirawala, who was an older artist and respected leader in his community. Peter Marralwanga is famous for his paintings on paper and bark. His art showed the traditions of his elders and community. He often painted special creatures and used a unique cross-hatching pattern called rarrk.

Peter Marralwanga also taught younger artists in his area. This included his son, Ivan Namirrki, and his nephew, John Mawurndjul. He is seen as a very inspiring painter from his region.

Becoming an Artist

Marralwanga started painting when he was about 50 years old, around 1970. Yirawala guided him in his art. Peter Marralwanga began to include special ceremonial items in his paintings. Because he was an elder, he had permission from his clan to share this important knowledge in his artwork.

In Kuninjku art, many images are sacred and have strict rules about what can be shown. Artists who have special roles in the community often have the only right to paint certain images. Marralwanga also used rarrk, a cross-hatching pattern. This pattern was traditionally used for paintings related to funerals. It also helped ensure that traditional foods would grow each season. He shared his knowledge of rarrk with new artists, inspiring their work.

Art and Life

Even though much of Marralwanga's art came from ceremonies, he also added parts of his own life. He once said his works were "half secret one, half ordinary one." This meant his art mixed sacred traditions with his personal experiences.

By exploring both his deep knowledge of ceremonies and his own life, Marralwanga created many different kinds of paintings. His works showed many figures and ceremonies.

Famous Works

• Ngal-Kunburriyaymi, 1982
• Ngalyod, the Rainbow Serpent, at Manabinbala, 1980-81
• Mimih Spirit Dancing at Catfish Ceremony, 1979
• Kangaroo with Headdress and Spirit Figures, c. 1980s

Exhibitions

Peter Marralwanga's art has been shown in many exhibitions:

• 1981: Solo exhibition at Mary Macha at Aboriginal Traditional Arts
• 1983: Solo exhibition at Mary Macha at Aboriginal Traditional Arts
• 1989: A Myriad of Dreaming: Twentieth Century Aboriginal Art
• 1991: Aboriginal Art and Spirituality
• 2004: Crossing Country- the Alchemy of Western Arnhem Land Art