Darryl Yatjany

Darryl Yatjany is an emerging artist; the eldest son of senior Wubulkara Manyjikay man Timothy Miliŋinbilil, and weaver Emma Gundurrubuy. He learnt Wubulkarra Manyjikay Rom (Law), manikay (songs), riŋgitj (dreaming tracks) and miny’tji (designs) from his father and father’s brother, Raymond Bulambula.

Yatjany grew up on his mother’s country, Räpuma, an island just to the north-east of Milingimbi. Räpuma is an outstation with no shop, as Yatjany describes it, ‘just fish’. He remembers traveling to Milingimbi as a child for ceremony and to visit family. During these times he was surprised to see food and bottled soft drink that had been purchased from the store.

During Yatjany’s childhood there was an outstation school at Rapuma. One Balanda (European) and one Yolŋu teacher taught all the students. The school was open every second week. He says that growing up on an outstation is a good life with lots of time for hunting stingray, oyster, turtle, mullet, turtle eggs and goanna.