DJAMBAWA MARAWILI is a leader of the Madarrpa clan and an activist and administrator on the interface between non-Aboriginal people and the Yolngu people of North East Arnhem Land. Djambawa’s art is closely related to his role as a leader and he draws on the sacred foundation of his people to represent the power of Yolngu and to educate others in the justice of his people’s struggle for recognition. Living at Yilpara, three hours from Yirrkala, he is immersed in the country he paints and carves. His work is represented in most major Australian collections, and in several overseas collections. In 1996 he won the prestigious National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Best Bark Painting Prize.

Djambawa is chairman of the Association of Northern, Kimberley and Arnhem Aboriginal Artists (ANKAAA) and was recently appointed to the Australia Council's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board. He is represented by Buku Larrnggay Arts, Yirrkala, and Annandale Galleries, Sydney.

Djambawa's works in <abstractions> were curated by Howard Morphy.