Wilson Ganambarr Manydjarri

Wilson Ganambarr Manydjarri was born in the bush at Golŋa (Rorruwuy) on Ḏäṯiwuy country in Arnhem Bay. As a child, he learned traditional skills from his father, such as making ṉuwayak (bark shelters) for protection during the wet season. He recalls building smoky fires to ward off mosquitos, known as milkmilk. From an early age, Manydjarri was capable of crafting his own garranuk (spear) for hunting animals like wallaby and emu, and fishing. He also learned to play the yiḏaki (didgeridoo) and perform manikay (song) from his father. At around 15 years old, Manydjarri moved to Yirrkala, and after spending a few years in school, he joined his family in Maṯamaṯa, where a new homeland was being established. Later, he moved to Galiwin’ku (Elcho Island), working in various roles, including road construction, fishing, and at the first art center, where he began developing his skills as a painter and carver. In the 1980s, he returned to Rorruwuy to establish a homeland with his father, and he became involved with the Buku Larrŋgay Mulka Art Centre in Yirrkala. Manydjarri’s art and cultural knowledge took him across Australia and internationally. He traveled to Chicago for an exhibition and participated in a significant Baṉumbirr (Morning Star) ceremony at the Maritime Museum in Sydney in 2002.