Mulkun#1 Wirrpanda

Date of Birth - c. 1940
Moiety - Dhuwa
Homeland - Dhuruputjpi
Clan - Dhudi-Djapu
Clan language - Dhuwal

Mulkun Wirrpanda is a senior female artist for the Dhudi-Djapu clan from Dhuruputjpi. She is the daughter of the late Dhäkiyarr Wirrpanda and husband to Wakuthi Marawili, clan leader for the Madarrpa clan who resided at Yilpara until his death this year. She is also mother (by kinship) to senior artist and clan leader Djambawa Marawili.

Mulkun paints Dhudi-Djapu miny'tji (sacred design) that depicts her land at and near Dhuruputjpi. As the eldest and most knowledgable of her clan, she is acknowledged as a leader. Mulkun is one of the few Yolngu women to have this status.What makes Mulkun's yidaki special is the abscence of figurative imagery within the miny'tji. Until recently the painting of this 'raw' miny'tji was restricted to ceremonial use. The work is always done using natural earth pigments (ochres). Yalata and Dharranggi are her common themes.

In addition to yidaki, Mulkun also paints bark and larrakitj (memorial poles) and is talented carver, weaver and print maker. Her work has been exhibited throughout Australia and in Asia. After some time in and out of Yirrkala, Mulkun is now based at Yilpara and only very rarely painting yidaki for us, but please inquire if you are interested.

CLICK HERE for Mulkun's Yidaki Archive