Michael Boiyool Anning

Place: North Queensland

Born: 1955

Biography:

Yidinji carver and painter Michael Anning, also known as Boiyool, was born in North Queensland in 1955. His work, shields, swords and sculptural carvings are greatly influenced by the traditional styles and media of his people. Carvings and the use of natural pigments and charcoal have been a fascination for him since the age of 13. Anning’s carvings and sculptures were featured in the “Gatherings and Gatherings II, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art of Queensland Australia” in 2001 and 2006 respectively. In 1998 Anning won the Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3 Dimensional Award at the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) with his sculptural piece “Dulgubarra, Rainforest Dwellers”. This work was selected for MAGNT’s 20th anniversary national touring exhibition, “Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award: Celebrating 20 Years” in 2004 – 2005. In the catalogue of the first “Gatherings” exhibition Annings states that he hopes to “create a broader view of all rainforests and their inhabitants through his art”. He is also an illustrator and craftsperson from the coastal area of north Queensland and belongs to the Nyudgunji people.