Title

Margalulu, Andrew

Author

Australian Art Print Network.

Source

[Not applicable]

Publication date

2001

Type

Biography

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

Andrew Margululu

 

Aboriginal artist Andrew Margululu’s work predominantly embraces the journeys of the Wagilag Sisters story, an important Aboriginal creation myth, and, in turn, the spirits who hunt honey and the country they established along the way.

In 1989 Marrgululu was the first artist from Ramingining to produce a large bark for the Kluge Ruhe Collection, an important collection of Aboriginal Art commissioned by the University of Virginia in the USA. By producing the first major painting of exceptional standard, Marrgalulu was instrumental in setting a high precedent for the other artists involved in this prestigious project.

Djon Mundine, a respected curator and author on indigenous Australian art describes the Australian landscape as being “full of signs”, a comment which also applies to Margululu’s artwork perfectly. Marrgalulu has not only mastered the traditional medium of bark painting, but, in collaboration with printmaker Theo Tremblay, produces stunning contemporary prints.

Marrgalulu was one of the key artists to participate in the first print workshops at Milingimbi, held in 1996, where he modified his traditional designs to suite this new medium, successfully refining and exploring new possibilities. He responded particularly well to lithography. The shift from painting to making fine art prints proved less of an issue for him than his desire to maintain his cultural traditions through his artwork.

In 1997 Marrgalulu was one of the artists who participated in a series of workshops held in Ramingining, by Theo Tremblay, during which they produced an important series of prints called ‘The Ramingining Print Suite’. This suite was based on the Wagilag Sisters’ creation story and represented a unique collaboration by celebrated Aboriginal artists. Margululu was also commissioned to produce a painting for the Federal Airports Corporation which is on permanent display at Darwin airport.

 

Biography courtesy of The Australian Art Print Network, 2001.

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