Tom Djumburpur (1920-2006)

Tom Djumpurpur was born in 1920 in the bush of his homeland at Djilpin, Northern Territory. After his parents died in the early 1930s, Djumburpur went to live a traditional lifestyle with an uncle nearby, away from the local mission. Taught to paint by his second father, Charlie Wagirr, his first exhibition was in Melbourne in 1983, visiting there for the first time during this show. Clyde Holding, the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs at the time, bought several of his pieces for his private collection. Exhibitions followed in 1987 in Brisbane and Adelaide. Djumburpur was also one of the artists to contribute several bone coffins to the Aboriginal Memorial installation, made up of 200 burial poles symbolising 200 years of white occupation, which was part of the 1988 Biennale of Sydney. This installation is now on permanent display in the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.

He paints in two distinct styles, one abstract or minimalist renderings on bark, with traditional body designs to depict the Wagilag Sisters story, an important Aboriginal creation mythology. The other style features monumental creatures enforcing their power and importance through their size and movement in the works. His trademark is his use of silver white clay and strong graceful strokes. His work is often set against fields of rarrk (crosshatching) and geometric shapes, sacred rocks or circular motifs representing waterholes. His barks are often shaped like a shield.

Works by Djumburpur are held by the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria and Art Gallery of Western Australia.