Marrawuddi - John Lemibanda Naryukyuk /66x26cm/Kinga (Saltwater Crocodile)

John Lemibanda

Born: 8/05/1964

Skin: Kamarrang

Language: Kunwinjku

Clan: Wurrik

Country: Mandedjkadjang

Biography:

'I was born in Darwin and I grew up at Madjinbardi Staon. I moved from Madjinbardi to Jabiru with my family, but my family gone now.

I saw a man named Joshua Bangarr, he was my teacher, he taught me to paint. I was sing there watching him lots of mes, one day he said, 'come and paint with me'. I was not very good that day. He put a picture on the dolobbo (bark) and I sat alongside him and together we painted. In a few months I was doing my own picture, my own style. When he saw this he said, 'you ok'.

He was my teacher that old man, now I'm an arst myself.

I have my own things to paint, my own story telling. I'm proud of myself and I'm proud to teach my young ones our culture. I like to teach my young ones so they can teach their young ones.