Bula'Bula Arts, Ramingining, Central Arnhem Land. Photo: Bula'Bula Arts
Bula'Bula Arts, Ramingining, Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
In 1966, when Australia introduced decimal currency, the central image on the new one-dollar note was taken from a bark painting by David Malangi, a senior Yolngu artist from Ramingining. The Reserve Bank had not sought his permission. When Malangi eventually saw the note, the resulting copyright dispute became the first formal recognition of Aboriginal art copyright in Australia. Malangi had been painting since the late 1950s and became a founding member of the Ramingining Arts and Crafts centre in 1979, the organisation that became Bula'Bula Arts Aboriginal Corporation, formally incorporated in 1989. The name Bula'Bula refers to the voice of Gandayala (the red kangaroo), the creation being of Ramingining whose songline runs from the Roper River to this community on the edge of the Arafura Swamp, 560km east of Darwin.
Bula'Bula Arts is owned by approximately 150 member artists living in Ramingining and eleven surrounding outstations. In 1988, art adviser Djon Mundine conceived the Aboriginal Memorial, realised by 43 Bula'Bula artists for the Australian Bicentenary: 200 decorated hollow log coffins (dupun) commemorating all Indigenous Australians who died defending their land since 1788. It was exhibited at the 1988 Sydney Biennale and is now on permanent display at the National Gallery of Australia. George Milpurrurru and Malangi were among the key artists; both had also participated in the 1979 Sydney Biennale, which brought Ramingining bark painting to national attention for the first time. Today the centre is known particularly for pandanus fibre weaving, with weavers including Mary Dhalapany (twin sister of actor David Gulpilil) and Evonne Munuyngu among the most recognised. Art forms include bark painting, canvas painting, sculpture, carved hollow logs, fibre art, prints and ceremonial objects.
Bula'Bula Arts at a glance
- Location: Ramingining, Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, approximately 560km east of Darwin
- Language groups: Djambarrpuyngu (main language), Dhuwala, Dhany'yi, Gupapuyngu, Ganalbingu, Liyagalawumirr, Djinang and others
- Established: 1979 as Ramingining Arts and Crafts; incorporated as Bula'Bula Arts Aboriginal Corporation 1989
- Art forms: Bark painting, canvas painting, pandanus fibre weaving, wood sculpture, hollow log carving, prints, ceremonial objects
- Notable works: The Aboriginal Memorial (1988), 200 hollow log coffins, National Gallery of Australia; David Malangi's bark painting on the original Australian one-dollar note
- Notable artists: David Malangi (1927–1999), George Milpurrurru, Philip Gudthaykudthay, Mary Dhalapany, Evonne Munuyngu
- Getting there: Ramingining is accessible by road (4WD recommended, dry season only) or by air; Arnhem Land entry permit required
