Luke Taylor on Peter Marralwanga, Painter of the Djang of Western Arnhem Land

From Good Reading Podcast by Good Reading Magazine

April 3, 2026 · 25 min

About this episode

In this episode, Gregory Dobbs chats with Luke Taylor about the life and influence of Peter Marralwanga, a significant Aboriginal bark painter from Western Arnhem Land.

Peter Marralwanga (1916–1987) was a leading figure in one of the great art practices of the world. He grew up in western Arnhem Land surrounded by artists painting in rock shelters and he learned to paint this way himself. The subjects of his paintings were the Djang who made his country and placed the spirits of people within it. Marralwanga’s story highlights the way bark painting became important as a way of evading assimilation policies rife within Northern Territory towns. Marralwanga established an outstation at Marrkolidjban where he could teach his children how to properly care for Ancestral lands, with part of this care involving a knowledge of how to paint. As a senior person who had travelled widely in his youth, and gained extensive ceremonial knowledge, Marralwanga was highly influential among a broad group of painters. Ivan Namirrkki, a painter of note and Peter Marralwanga’s son, has provided here his own account of his father’s life. This book tracks Marralwanga’s life of learning about country and conveys the religious meaning of numerous major works, offering outsiders a richer understanding and appreciation of Arnhem Land art. It also shows the crucial role of…

People in this episode

Host: Gregory Dobbs

Guest: Luke Taylor

Topics covered

Aboriginal art
bark painting
cultural heritage
assimilation policies
Ancestral lands
art history

Keywords

Peter Marralwanga
bark painting
Western Arnhem Land
Aboriginal art
cultural significance
art practices
Maningrida Arts and Culture

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Maningrida Arts and Culture

Places: Western Arnhem Land