ARIAs honour legendary Yolngu artist Gurrumul with four awards

GURRUMUL’s profound influence on Australian music has been acknowledged with the Yolngu artist posthumously winning four ARIAs

Legendary Territory artist Gurrumul in a scene from the documentary movie about his life. Picture: Supplied

GURRUMUL’s profound influence on Australian music has been acknowledged with the Yolngu artist posthumously winning four ARIAs.

The Yolngu artist’s daughter Jasmine and brother Johnno travelled with Skinnyfish Music creative director Michael Hohnen for the event in Sydney on Wednesday night.

Gurrumul received awards for best male artist, best independent release, best world music album and an award for best cover art, which was designed by Territory singer Caiti Baker.

Jasmine Yunupingu (left) and Michael Hohnen (right) perform during a tribute to Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu during the ARIAs in Sydney. Picture: Joel Carrett/AAP

Mr Hohnen said it was a touching night and a reminder of the impact Gurrumul — who passed away in Darwin in July 2017 — continued to have on the music industry.

“The music industry has a support and love of what he’s done from his days in Yothu Yindi and to today,” he said.

“We should be happy about getting this award and we’re proud of it but having made such an incredible album and him not seeing the praises it just makes it harder to enjoy or celebrate I suppose.”

Producers created a moving music video which Mr Hohnen, Jasmine and Johnno Yunupingu, Jessica Mauboy and Briggs performed alongside.

Johnno Yunupingu (left) and Jasmine Yunupingu accept the ARIA for Best Male Artist on behalf of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu during the ARIAs on Wednesday night. Picture: Joel Carrett/AAP

Mr Hohnen said Gurrumul had paved the way for future Aboriginal artists and proved the importance of indigenous language in mainstream music.

“I think with his music especially in Yothu Yindi and all those years and right through to his solo career, has shown that Yolngu and Aboriginal language is valid and you can create something that works in the mainstream and the greater population,” he said.

His album Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) released this year, made Australian chart history by becoming the first indigenous-language album to debut at number one.

Djarimirri, Gurrumul’s final album, and Gurrumul, theengrossing film documentary about the Territory artist’s life, turned out to be two of the most outstanding pieces of art released this year.