Banduk was taught to paint by her father Mawalan Marika, a noted artist, statesman and ritual leader of the Dhuwa at Yirrkala. In 1982 Banduk moved to Sydney to study printmaking, her linocuts and screen prints subjects are traditional family designs that her family has given her to paint. In 1988 Banduk and her family returned to live in Yirrkala, where she now manages Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre and Museum and encourages the local artists to develop new enterprises and outlets for their work. Banduk is probably the most well-known contemporary female artist of Eastern Arnhem Land. She divides her time between cities such as Sydney and Yirrkala. Banduk was chairperson of the Aboriginal Visual Arts Committee of the Australia Council for the Arts, and was the first aboriginal person to be elected to the boards of the National Gallery of Australia and the Museum and Art Gallery of NT.
In 2001 she won the Australia Council's 2001 Red Ochre Award, and in 2005 won the NATSIAA Bark Painting Award. Banduk Marika, in partnership with Margie West and other members of the Rirratjingu clan, were the 2009 joint winners of the Chief Ministers NT History Book Award for 'Yalangbara: art of the Djang'kawu'.,
Subject
Women,
Northern Territory,
Related materials
ABC George Negus Tonight, History : Banduk Marika, 7 July 2003,