MATHAMAN MARIKA

Mathaman Marika was an important ceremonial man and a distinguished artist. He developed his own particular style for painting the Djaŋkawu’s travels to Yalangbara, the Morning Star ceremony, and the Wuyal, the Sugarbag Spirit stories. He also regularly painted the Wagilag Sisters associated with the site of Marwuyu in central Arnhem Land. The rights to paint this were apparently established with the Manhdalpuy clan early in the twentieth century by Mathaman’s grandfather during an exchange of ceremonial songs and paintings. The younger brother of Mawalan Marika, Mathaman succeeded his brother as leader of the Rirratjiŋu clan and representative of the Yolŋu in the Gove land rights case. In 1962–1963, along with fifteen other Yolŋu artists, Mathaman worked on the Yirrkala Church Panels representing the two complementary moieties of the Yolŋu world, Dhuwa and Yirritja.