David Malangi
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David Malangi (1927 – 27 June 1998) was an Indigenous Australian Yolngu artist from the Northern Territory. One of the most well known bark painters from Arnhem Land. The reproduction of one of his designs was produced on the Australian one dollar note in 1966. (originally without his knowledge - when he became aware of this, he was given financial compensation). The payment by the Reserve Bank of Australia to Malangi began issues of Aboriginal copyright in Australia. He was born at Mulanga, on the east bank of the Glyde River.
He painted on clear, red ochre or black backgrounds. He used much broader and bolder brushstrokes than other Arnhem Land bark painters. His work includes depictions of the sea eagle, crow, snake and goanna.
He represented Australia at the Sao Paolo Biennalle in 1983. He contributed ten hollow logs for the Aboriginal Memorial at the National Gallery of Australia in 1988. He travelled to New York in 1988 as part of the Dreamings exhibition of Aboriginal art. In July 2004 an exhibition opened of David Malangi's work at the National Gallery of Australia called No Ordinary Place.[1]
