Wandjuk Marika facts for kids

Wandjuk Djuwakan Marika (around 1927 or 1930 – 16 June 1987) was an important Aboriginal Australian artist. He was also an actor, a composer, and a strong supporter of Indigenous land rights.

Wandjuk was a member of the Rirratjingu clan. This clan is part of the Yolngu people from north-east Arnhem Land in Australia's Northern Territory. His father was Mawalan 1 Marika, a respected leader.

Early Life and Education

Wandjuk Djuwakan Marika was born on Bremer Island (Dhambaliya) in the Northern Territory. This was either in 1927 or 1930.

He was the oldest son of Mawalan 1 Marika and his wife, Bamatja. He had four sisters: Banduk Marika, Dhuwarrwarr Marika, Bayngul, and Laklak.

Wandjuk went to school at the Methodist Overseas Mission in Yirrkala. There, he learned to speak English.

Art and Storytelling

Wandjuk Marika's paintings shared his people's traditional stories and spiritual beliefs. He painted important stories like Djang'kawu Story (1960). He also painted Birth of the Djang'kawu Children of Yelangbara (1982).

The Djang'kawu are special ancestors in Rirratjingu stories. They are believed to have created the clan at Yalangbara. Wandjuk also painted stories about the Wawilak sisters.

Sharing these stories through art was a big part of his job as a clan leader. His father, Mawalan 1, taught him these painting skills.

In 1959, Wandjuk painted Sea life (Dreaming of the artist’s mother). This painting showed parts of his mother's Warramirri clan stories. Later, he was very upset when his Djang’kawu story was printed on a tea towel. Because of this, he stopped painting for several years.

Helping Others Understand Culture

Because Wandjuk learned English at the mission school, he could help others. He worked with experts like Charles Mountford and Ronald and Catherine Berndt. He helped them understand the rich Yolngu culture.

In 1973, he helped start the Aboriginal Arts Board. He became the chairman of this board in 1976 and stayed in that role until 1979.

Acting and Writing

Wandjuk Marika also acted in movies. He appeared in Where the Green Ants Dream (1984) and Initiation (1987). He was also in the TV show Women of the Sun. For Where the Green Ants Dream, he was both an actor and a composer, creating music for the film.

He also wrote a book called The Aboriginal Children's History of Australia.

Fighting for Land Rights

Wandjuk Marika often wrote letters to the Australian government. He protested against mining activities on Yolngu lands. Sadly, his letters were not successful at first.

In August 1963, he helped send special bark petitions to the government. These petitions protested the decision to allow mining on the Gove Peninsula. The Yirrkala bark petition was the first Indigenous document ever accepted by the Australian Parliament. This was a huge step for Indigenous rights.

Wandjuk also worked hard to create the Aboriginal Artists Agency in 1973. This agency was made to protect the copyright of Aboriginal artists. It helped make sure artists owned their work and ideas.

Awards and Tributes

In 1979, Wandjuk Marika was given a special award. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

A photograph of Wandjuk Marika, taken by Juno Gemes in 1979, is displayed in the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. Some of his paintings are also shown at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

A special award is named after him: the Wandjuk Marika 3D Memorial Award. This award is part of the important National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award. It is given out every year by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Family and Passing

Wandjuk Marika's son, Mawalan 2 Marika, is also an artist. His daughter is Rarriwuy Marika. Wandjuk Marika was also the uncle of Raymattja Marika.

Wandjuk Marika passed away on 16 June 1987.

See also

• Roy Dadaynga Marika (c.1925– 1993)