Artist from famed Yunupingu family dies in East Arnhem Land

The Yirrkala community is in mourning after the artist and didgeridoo expert, and relative of Yothu Yindi’s front man, died last month.

Work from the Yikaldi (didgeridoo) exhibition at the South Australian Museum in 2017. Picture: SA Museum/Facebook

The Yirrkala community in East Arnhem Land is mourning the death of Indigenous artist Mrs D. Yunupingu, a daughter of the late cultural leader and bark painter Mungurrawuy Yunupingu.

Mrs Yunupingu, whose siblings included Aboriginal activist Galarrwuy Yunupingu and Yothu Yindi rock band frontman Mandawuy Yunupingu, died on December 27 aged 74.

According to Indigenous custom, the family have requested that the artist’s first name and photograph not be used.

Mrs Yunupingu was married to Yolngu musician and artist Djalu Gurruwiwi, an internationally recognised player, maker and spiritual keeper of the yidaki (didgeridoo), who died in 2022.

She often assisted her husband with finding and making yidaki, was experienced in yidaki identification and was a skilled yidaki maker in her own right.

Mrs D. Yunupingu’s late husband, Djalu Gurruwiwi, pictured in 2007. Picture: Michaela Glen

Mrs D. Yunupingu’s late brother, Yothu Yindi frontman Mandawuy Yunupingu, in 2012. Picture: AAP Image/John Donegan

Veteran land rights activist and Indigenous leader Galarrwuy Yunupingu, pictured in Arnhem Land in 2013.

A Yolngu artist of the Gumatj clan, Mrs Yunupingu began painting at Buku Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre on bark and ceramic vessels after the death of her husband and two sisters.

Her works were inspired by her knowledge and connection to Makassan traders, the Indonesian fisherman with whom the Yolngu people had contact for hundreds of years.

The South Australian Museum posted on Facebook that it had worked with Mrs Yunupingu during its Yidaki exhibition in 2017, and that many of its staff had formed lasting connections with her.

Its post said she was “a beloved and generous soul whose warmth and contributions touched countless lives”.

Work from the Yikaldi (didgeridoo) exhibition at the South Australian Museum in 2017. Picture: SA Museum/Facebook

“A pillar of her community, she worked side-by-side at Buku with her sisters Djakangu and Dela, often accompanied by her faithful pack of tiny dogs. Her family’s influence on Australian art, music, and politics is immeasurable.”

Both Galarrwuy and Mandawuy Yunupingu were named Australian of the Year, in 1978 and 1992 respectively, while Djalu Gurruwiwi won the 2015 National Indigenous Music Award.

Mrs Yunupingu’s work was included in the 24th Biennale of Sydney last year and is in major collections including the National Gallery of Australia and the Powerhouse.