Gali Yalkarriwuy Gurruwiwi
Curriculum Vitae
Biography
Gali is a prominent member of the local uniting church of Galiwin'ku and a traditional Aboriginal (Yolngu) Mala Leader and Galpu clan representative.
Gali was taught traditional art forms, the stories and laws from his father (Gapuka) before he passed away, and was given the laws and responsibilities of being "boss" and owner of the sacred feathered ceremonial morning-star poles (Banumbirr) for the Galpu Clan.
The Morning Star Pole (banumbirr) is a ceremonial emblem and an essential part or ritual.
the Morning Star Pole is most commonly used in mortuary ceremonies and is held by men whilst dancing.
the individual poles can differ, depending on the ceremony, the artist's clan and their stories.
the poles are statements about identity and can represent specific stretches of country and the Aboriginal (Yolgnu) people it belongs to. They are also a part of spiritual/religious statements that binds the people in life and death.
One story told, is of an old woman who releases the stars (feather 'arms') on the p[ole before dawn and they fly away like a kite. they act as a guide for the dead spirit to find it's way "home", before being pulled back at daylight.
The first lone star in the sky (Venus) is said to be the Banumbirr star.
Exhibitions
1989: Aboriginal Art, The Continuing Traditions.
1994: Fibre Art from Elcho Island, University of NSW. Sydney, Australia.
1995: The 12th National Aboriginal Art Awards, Darwin, NT.
1997: First Person Plural, Betty Rhymer Gallery, Chicago, USA.
1997: Kimberly Art Gallery, Melbourne, Vic. Australia.
1998: Viaams - Europeesch conferentie Centrum, Brussels, Belgium.
1998: The 15th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards. Darwin, NT.
1998: My Island Home, Australian Exhibition centre.
1999: Chicago Cultural Centre, Chicago, USA .
1999 Apr: Durham Board, Toronto, Canada
1999, 2000, 2001: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards.
2000: The Native Born: Museum of Contempory Art , Sydney, Germany Spain, San Paolo, New York, Taipei.
2002, Feb: Banimbirr; National Maritime Museum, Sydney. NSW. Australia.
2002. Nov: Fibre; Raft Gallery, and ANKAAA, Darwin. NT. Australia.
2006 Jul: L’esprit De La Terre D’Arbhem, Paris, France
2006 Aug: Dhuwa – Yirritja, Elcho Island Group Show, Fireworks Gallery Brisbane, Australia.
2007 Banumbirr – Morning Star, Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne VIC
2008 Vivien Anderson Gallery at Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne Art Fair at Melbourne Exhibition Building, Melbourne VIC
2008 25th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, MAGNT, Darwin NT
2008 Winner of the Kate Challis RAKA Award for Contemporary Visual Arts ($25,000), Ian Potter Museum of Art, University of Melbourne.
2009: Elcho Connections, Karen Brown Gallery, Dawin, Australia
2009: Finalist WA Indingeous Art Award
2009: Finalist 26th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, MAGNT, Darwin NT
2009: Dhapirrk Djama – Fantastic Work, Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne
2010: Dharri Wandangarri – Standing Strong and Proud, Chapman Gallery, Melbourne
Collections
Art Gallery of New South Wales , Sydney , Australia.
Museum of Contempory Art Sydney, Australia.
National Gallery of Australia. Canberra.
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Australia.
Elcho Island Artists and "Banumbirr" Morning Star Collection; Sydney, Australia.
The Hartland Collection; Sydney, Australia.
Arnaud Serval Collection; Paris, France
Publications
"Fibre Art from Elcho Island": Exhibition catalogue, 1994
"Community Aid Abroad Calendar' 1994.
"First Person Plural": Exhibition Catalogue Betty rhymer Gallery, Chicago, USA, !997
Elcho Island Christmas Cards; 1997 - 2002.
"Medicine and Religion in Arnhem Land: NSW Press
"The Native Born". Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney. 1999.
"Banambirr" Elcho Island and Bandigan Morning Star Exhibition Catalogue. 2002
"Tracks: - Time Magazine" Dec. 2nd 2002.