Yinimala Gumana

Yinimala's moiety is Yirritja. His clan is Dhalwangu and his homeland is Gangan. Gangan is about three hours drive south-west from Yirrkala. Yinimala is the son of Dhakawal. After his father's death, Yinimala was raised by his father's brother, the legendary Elder and artist Gawirrin Gumana AO.

Yinimala has patiently assisted his uncle with the cross hatching on many of his major works, including on the larrakitj memorial pole that won first prize at the NATSIAA in 2002. He has also accompanied Gawirrin to exhibitions and award presentations interstate.

Yinimala has been educated in Yolngu law and has been anointed as a future Dalkarra/Djirrikay (leader of Dhuwa and Yirritja ceremonies). Accordingly, the maturity of his artwork and manner is striking for his age.

His bark and larrakitj poles capture the ancestral presence in the landscape. He strives to perfect the aesthetic impact and enhance the quality of the stringybark by creating compositional balance with the geometric forms of his clan designs and employing precise cross-hatching techniques. Subtle differences in his sacred triangular designs refers to different locations and ancestral events.

Yinimala was one of five artists chosen by Elders and the Art Centre to represent their generation in the 'Young Guns' show at Annandale Galleries in June 2006. In 2008 he was again selected to exhibit in 'Young Guns II'.
In 2009 he was one of the ambassadors chosen to visit Canberra and argue the case for homelands with federal politicians.

Yinimala is a member of Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre's managing Committee. In 2011 he was elected Chairperson of Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre. His artworks are starting to be acquired by major collectors and institutions and building an impressive exhibition history.