Narratchin Maymuru Yirrkala Bark Painter

Biography

Narratchin spent his early years hunting and gathering in East Arnhem Land. He lived in the area between Blue Mud Bay and Caledon Bay. As a young man worked with Fred Gray in the trepang industry. Narratchin moved to Yirrkala Mission soon after its establishment in 1935. He was one of the first Yolngu people to become a Christian. Narritjin worked with the missionaries to bring peace to the Yolngu. He negotiated peace and stopped them fighting among themselves. Narratchin Maymuru first learned to paint from his father Lotama Guthitjpuy. He was later taught to paint by his maternal grandfather Birrikitji. Narratchin Maymuru tried to educate his children in both the old and the new ways. In the mid-1970’s he worked hard to establish an outstation for his family at Djarrakpi Cape Shield.

He taught all his children, both boys, and girls, to do bark painting.  Many of his children have become successful artists in their own right. Narritjin always tried to convey to non-Aboriginal Australians respect for Yolngu culture. His art ties Yolngu culture to the land.  His older brother Nanyin was also a bark painter

A man of great traditional wisdom and known amongst his people as Guduwurru, (the western equivalent would be a philosopher). He assisted Birrikitji and Munggurrawuy Yunupingu with painting the Yirritja church panels. The church panels are now housed in the Buku-Larrnggay Museum.

Other artists involved in painting the church panels include Matarman,  Mawalan Marika and Mitinari

Narrachin can also be spelled Narritjin Naridjin, Naritjun or Naritzin

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