Tom Djumburpur

Born in 1920 in Djilpin, near the Goyde River, Tom Djumburpur lived a traditional lifestyle with his family before joining the mission at Ramingining. He was initiated at Murrwangi and learned the art of painting from his second father, Charlie Wagirr. Djumburpur's work often depicted the Wagilag Sisters' creation myth and sacred themes, rendered with traditional ochres and fine cross-hatching (rarrk). He contributed to the Aboriginal Memorial (1998) - first exhibited at the Biennial of Sydney and now permanently housed at the National Gallery of Australia - where he carved and painted log coffins as part of a significant installation commemorating the impact of European settlement on Indigenous peoples.