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Wititji and Yalurr

Artist David Malangi Daymirringu (1927-1999)

Datec 1990

Object number00017988

NamePrint

MediumSilkscreen print on heavy weight paper, graphite pencil, printing inks

DimensionsMount / Matt size: 895 × 658 mm
Image: 405 x 295 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

Australia

DescriptionA screen print titled 'Wititji and Yalurr' (Catfish and Snake) by David Malangi / Daymirringu. David Malangi was an artist in the traditional style of Central Arnhem Land. His work uses extensive rark, hatching, method of design. The snake and the catfish being key elements in both his work and environment. Malangi became widely known for the appearence of his work on the Australian $1 note, issued in 1966. LOCAL GROUP - Manharrngu LANGUAGE - Djinang, Manharrngu, Liyagalawumirr SOCIAL AFFILIATIONS - Dhuwa moiety, Gammerang sub-sectionHistoryDavid Malangi's country is Dhamala, Mgurrunyuwa and Dhabila. He was born at Mulanga (in Ngurrunyuwa) where Gurrumurringu (ancestral being) travelled. As a child he lived at the Milingimbi mission where he went to school. Had Dapi (Djungguan) and went on to Gunapipi, both at Yathalamara (before WWII). Lived in bush on Milingimbi during the war, when he saw the bombing of Darwin. After the war Malangi worked on a mission putting up fences. During this time he married the first of his four wives, Elsie Ganbada. Malangi then worked looking after cattle and riding horses at Milingimbi with Charlie Murrupala (deceased-Maragu) and in about 1960 went to live Yathalamara. From this period onwards, Malangi painted extensively and his early work became part of several collections. One piece, 'Mortuary Feast' was seen by the then Secretary of the Reserve Bank of Australia, A.C McPherson, who was in the process of creating a new decimal Australian currency. He chose Malangi's painting of Gunmirringu's mortuary feast to feature on the new 1 dollar note. The image was reinterpreted by Gordon Andrews but no mention of the painter of the work was made. It was not until 1966 that David Malangi became aware that his art had been used on the notes. There was an appeal made by the super intendant of the Milingimbu Mission, Reverend Marcel Spengler, to recompense Malangi and ensure he received proper recognition for his work. This was later agreed to by the Reserve Bank and the amount of $1000, a specially struck medallion and a fishing tackle box was presented to Malangi. This was the first recognition of copyright for Indigenous artist’s designs in Australia. Significance"David Malangi (1927–1999) of the Manharrngu people was a loved senior elder and revered bark painter of central Arnhem Land. He is an important artist to Balanda [white people] because as well as following the old ways of painting the Ancestral stories, he created highly distinctive and visually powerful compositions to represent them. He is best known for his design reproduced on the reverse side of the Australian one dollar note in 1966 when Australia converted to decimal currency."
- No Ordinary Place: the art Of David Malangi