| Mathaman Marika | |
|---|---|
| Born | c.1920 |
| Died | 1970 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Relatives | Mawalan 1 Marika, Milirrpum Marika, Roy Dadaynga Marika, Dhunggala Marika (brothers) |
Mathaman Marika (c.1920–1970) was an Aboriginal Australian artist and Indigenous rights activist. He was a member of the Rirratjingu clan of the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, and one of the well-known Marika family, brother of Mawalan 1 Marika, Milirrpum Marika, Roy Dadaynga Marika, and Dhunggala Marika. Mathaman was second oldest after Mawalan.
Mathaman and his four brothers led the other clans in presenting the Yirrkala bark petitions to the Australian Government in 1963, in the lead-up to the Gove land rights case, and Mathaman continued the struggle for land rights after the death of his elder brother Mawalan 1 in 1967.
Mathaman painted the third portion of the Dhuwa side of the Yirrkala Church Panels in 1963. His painting depicts the Djang'kawu Sisters arriving at the their first camp, singing their journey across a newly-created watering hole.
The remaining Marika brothers were involved in the 1971 Milirrpum v Nabalco Pty Ltd (named after Mathaman's brother Milirrpum, also known as the Gove land rights case). All five were politically active for the rights of the Indigenous Australians, and four were also well-known Aboriginal artists.
Mathaman Marika held an important place in ceremonial life and produced most of his artwork from the late 1950s until his death. An art dealer in Melbourne, Jim Davidson, was a friend and became his agent in the 1960s.
His painting themes included the creator beings Djang'kawu's journey to Yalangbara, the Morning Star ceremony, various Nhulunbuy stories, and also the stories of a different (Manhdalpuy) clan, the Wagilag sisters. (Special rights were obtained for the latter by his grandfather in the 20th century, and have been passed down since.)
References
- ^ "The Marika family [Exhibition notes from Yalangbara: Art of the Djang'kawu]". National Museum of Australia. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2021. Includes short bios of: Mawalan 1 Marika (c. 1908–1967), Mathaman Marika (c. 1920–1970), Milirrpum Marika (c. 1923–1983), Roy Dadaynga Marika MBE (c. 1925–1993), Wandjuk Djuwakan Marika OBE (1929–1987), Banduk Marika (1954–2021), Dhuwarrwarr Marika (born c.1946), Wanyubi Marika (born 1967), Yalmay Gurrwun (Marika) Yunupingu (born 1956), Mawalan 2 Marika (born 1957), Jimmy Barrmula Yunupingu (born 1963) (son of Dhuwarrwarr Marika).
- ^ "Leaders in law, business and community". Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
...five Rirratjingu brothers took action. Mawalan Marika, Mathaman Marika, Milirrpum Marika, Dhunggala Marika and Roy Dadaynga Marika led the 13 Yirrkala clans to create the Yirrkala bark petitions.
- "Our Campaign". Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation. 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- Dettman, Carol (1999). Saltwater: Yirrkala Bark Paintings of Sea Country. Neutral Bay, New South Wales: Buku-Larrngay Mulka Centre in association with Jennifer Isaacs Publishing. ISBN 9780646377025.