MAWURNDJUL, John

My work and my rarrk(crosshatching) have changed a lot since I started painting a long time ago [late 1970s]. That was with my brother [Jimmy Njiminjuma], and together we have changed the rarrk and started to paint in a new style. We are new people …

Now, I concentrate on painting important places, my land, my djang(sacred places). I paint the power of that land. I mainly paint Milmilngkan, Kakodbebuldi, Mukkamukka, Dilebang, Mumeka, Kurrurldul, Mirelk and Kudjarnngal. They are very important places for us, they have meanings.

I keep thinking, I keep finding new ways, new styles for my paintings. I just can’t stop thinking about my paintings. I also teach other people, I help them, I give them advice and I tell them to make strong paintings. My children, they are now painting: Anna [Wurrkidj], Josephine [Wurrkidj] and Semeria [Wurrkidj].

From a conversation between John Mawurndjul and Apolline Kohen, 19March 2007.