Samuel Wumulul

Samuel Wumulul was born at Nhulunbuy and grew up at Milingimbi.

He likes to paint, on canvas and on bark, and only began painting recently. He learned to paint by watching his uncles, his stepfather Jimmy Maḻibirr and his auntie, Dorothy Maḻibirr. Samuel never met his own father – his stepfather Jimmy brought him up after his father died.

He also paints his brother-in-law Jack Roy’s totem, Warrukay (Barracuda), which he relates to as waku (niece/nephew) in the Yolŋu kinship system.

On weekends he likes to go camping on the islands where he takes his wife  and three adopted daughters (daughter’s of his wife’s sister). He likes to give them good food and tell them stories. After they finish fishing, they make a fire. “When we make a fire, the story comes. We make a fire, make tea, and talk into the night.”