Bob Burruwal

Kamarrang Bob Burruwal (1952–2021) was a contemporary Rembarrnga Aboriginal artist from central Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia. He is best remembered for his bark paintings, carvings, and fibre sculptures, many of which he worked on collaboratively alongside his wife, Lena Yarinkura. He was of the Dhuwa moiety, Balngarra clan, Kamarrang skin name, Rembarrnga language, and Kunidjangka country.

Growing up, he practiced many Aboriginal Australian art forms creating bark paintings, dancing belts, clap sticks, and didjeridu. While his parents were not artists, he credited his father with teaching him about their cultural stories and way of life which largely influenced his work. Their shared passion for art was passed down to their children and granddaughter, Philomena Kelly. Yarinkura, who learned traditional skills of basketry and pandanus-weaving from her mother and fellow artist, Lena Djamarrayku (1943-2005), passed on her own ideas and techniques based on these traditions to their daughters as a means of ensuring that her stories and culture would not be forgotten once she is gone. The community of Maningrida is home to Maningrida Arts & Culture, one of the most successful art centres in Australia. Figures from everyday life such as camp dogs, feral pigs, and humans were also utilised in his work. The piece, known as a Morning Star Pole or Buya Male in Rembarrnga, is an important symbol of the Marradjirri ceremony of Arnhem Land which is used to strengthen relations and social and economic ties between groups. the National Gallery of Victoria among others.