User:Gaboakes/Mary Dhapalany

Dawidi Birritjama
Dawidi Birritjama, otherwise known as Neville Dawidi Birritjama, was born in the Northern territory of Central Arnhem Land in 1921 and passed away in 1970. Birritjama is an Indigenous Aboriginal artist who belongs to the clan of Liyagalawumirr and the community of Milingimbi and is most known for his contribution in the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Australia, titled Wägilak Sisters Story .

Biography/Background
In his early life, Birritjama was based at the Milingimbi mission and dedicated his time to his artistry and manual work for the Milingimbi community. Beginning in 1956, when Birritjama was still fairly young, he became the leader of the Liyagalawumirr clan as a result of his uncle's death, Tjam Yilkari Kitani. This power transition was particularly important to Birritjama because his position as clan leader imparted him custodianship of of the Wägilak (Wawalag) sisters ceremonial cycle. Considering Birritjama's young age, he was mentored by Djäwa and Mungunu to guide him into his new authority.

Beginning in the early 1960's, Birritjama was able to take on his leadership in producing the works of the Wägilak sisters. Dawidi drew his influence from his predecessor's, especially Yilkari. Both Birritjama and Yilkari then influenced Paddy Dhatangu, who inherited the role of clan leader from Birritjama. The connection between these three artists is significant because their works were made into an exhibition in 1997 titled The painters of the Wagilag sisters story.

Significance of the Wägilak Sisters Story
For the works in The Wagiliag Sister's Story, Dawidi uses a form of cross-hatching on top of a plain background to convey the narrative of the Wägilak Sisters. Within these works, Dawidi expresses the nuances of the Wägilak Sister's story through subtle patterns and motifs to convey cultural heritage and expression. Dawidi's works in the exhibition are convey the actual events that the Wägilak Sister's experienced.

Largely, Birritjama's connection to the Wägilak Sister's Story has to do with cultural identity. The narrative of the Wägilak Sister's is deeply intertwined with the ancestry, spirituality, and cosmology of the Liyagalawumirr people; the story represents the presence of spiritual and cultural harmony. The story of the Wägilak Sisters is spread through the Liyagalawumirr people to educate the youth about their societal and roles and the relationship with their culture and spirituality.

Art Collections and Works
Dawidi Birritjama was most known for his works on The Painters of the Wagilag Sister's Story and has various pieces that he has contributed in addition to that collection :


 * Wagilak sisters story - Wititj (olive python) (1961)
 * Snakes and fish anticipating rain (circa 1950's)
 * Wagilak sisters story - Wititj (olive python) (1959)
 * Cat and crow legend (1960)
 * Wagilak sisters story (1960)
 * Wagilak sisters Story (1960)
 * Wagilak sisters story (1959)