Gawirrin Gumana

Gawirrin, the headman for the Dhalwangu clan, is best known as a painter on bark of miny’tji (sacred designs), but recently he has focused most of his attention on sculpture. His Larrakitj (hollow log coffins), 2003, for the Clemenger Contemporary Art Award, imbued with detailed geometric designs and figurative elements, reveal the complex associations between clans, country and individuals.

Judith Ryan
Senior Curator, Indigenous Art, National Gallery of Victoria
Excerpt from exhibition catalogue

Gawirrin Gumana
Dhalwangu born c. 1930
Larrakitj, 2003 (with details)
earth pigments on wood
315.0 x 22.0 cm (diam.)
Courtesy of the artist and Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre, Yirrkala, Northern Territory