Bob Burruwal

Moiety: Dhuwa / Duwa

Subsection: Gamarrang

Born at Bolkjam, Arnhem Land Bob Burruwal is a Rembarrnga man of the Balngarra clan. An important ceremonial and song man Burruwal is also an accomplished painter, sculptor, and fibre artist who makes bark paintings, carved wooden and scultpted fibre figurative objects and ceremonial objects including armbands and string belts. He is known for his carvings of Wurlga and Wurum (fishing-increasing objects) that are related to certain sities within his clan lands.

Burruwal has often collaborated with his wife fellow artist Lena Yarinkura since they married in the 1980s. One of their joint works was shown at the 2nd National Indigenous Art Triennial unDisclosed, the National Gallery of Australia in 2012.

Burruwal has featured in solo and group exhibitions both nationally and internationally over the past four decades, including Gungamuk: Bob Burruwal and Lena Yarinkura, Sherhan Galleries, Thirroul, NSW (2010); Interwoven, Indigenart, Perth (2008); Peter Bailie Art Award, Flinders University City Gallery Adalaide (2006); Bob Burruwal and Lena Yarinkura, Annandale Galleries, Sydney (2004), Organic Forms in Fibre, Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney (2003); Maningrida Threads: Aboriginal Art from the Maningrida Collection, MCA, Sydney (2003); Wild Nature in Contemporary Australian Art and Craft, JamFactory Contemporary Craft and Design, Adelaide (2002); Arnhem Land Carvings and Bark Paintings, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney (2001); In the Heart of Arnhem Land: Myth and the Making of Contemporary Aboriginal Art, Musée de l'Hôtel-Dieu, Mantes-la-Jolie, France (2001); Organic Forms, Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney (1999); Metamorphosis: Contemporary Australian Aboriginal Photography and Sculpture, Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi at the 47th Venice Biennale (1997); and Aboriginal Art at the Top: A Regional Exhibition, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin (1982).

Burruwal's work is held in international and national public and private collections.