Michael Mununggurr Malakunya, Gapuwiyak - Warrakan Sculpture

• Aboriginal Artist - Michael Mununggurr Malakunya
• Community - Gapuwiyak (Lake Evella)
• Aboriginal Art Centre - Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts
• Materials - Carved wood, acrylic and natural earth pigments
• Size(cm) - H41 L6 W6

Warrakan is a generic Yolngu term for birds. Artists often carve or paint birds. Sometimes artists describe their work as "just a bird". Birds often figure in creation stories and many song cycles include stories about birds. Some specific birds are clan totems.

Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts Aboriginal Corporation is a recent initiative of the remote East Arnhem Land community of Gapuwiyak, also known as Lake Evella. The organisation is not-for-profit. It was created to enhance the wellbeing of Yolngu people living in the region by supporting their cultural practices, values and intellectual property while providing opportunities for leadership, meaningful employment and professional development.