Bakuḻaŋay Marawili, Bakulanay Marawili

Born: 1944

Death: 2002

Biography:

Bakulangay Marawili was an Aboriginal Australian artist. He was a member of the Yirritja moiety and belonged to the Madarrpa clan. His homeland was Baniyala. Bakulangay was known for his innovative approach to art, often incorporating unconventional materials and techniques into his work. One notable example is his painting 'Bawu', which references the early contact between Yolngu people and Makassan fishers through the shaping of bark as a sail. This artwork is significant not only for its unique style but also for its representation of the journey that Yolngu people used to undertake in their canoes from the mainland to Bickerton Island and Groote Eylandt. Bakulangay's work has been represented in exhibitions since the 1970s, including the major exhibition Saltwater acquired by the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney.