iDIDJ Australia Didgeridoo Cultural Hub

ididjaustralia · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:47 am Post subject: Sorry state of affairs...

Just recently returned from the north, and survived a category 2 cyclone. But bad news with 4 recent passings of countrymen from Ramingining including one of the canoeists from Ten Canoes. Xavier, you would have heard the one that happened in Palmerston?

Guan

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zzie · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:12 am Post subject:

Yes Mate,

Sad sorry .... I am waiting for more details but the police story about this affair seems to be very smelly to me.

Xavier

ididjaustralia · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:49 pm Post subject:

Hi Xavier,

That was a very unexpected passing away, let's see what can be found out about what really happened.

The art world might be reeling from the death on the 18th of December 2007 of one of Arnhem Land's premier artists, a Wagilak man who used the surname Ashley. Kyle, you can probably guess who it is. When I saw Burralang some months ago I had the feeling he did not have long to go... he wasn't looking after himself and appeared to be weak and on the decline.

Has been a sad start to the year...

Guan

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Peter Lister · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Posts: 214 Location: Australia

This is indeed distressing and moreso for yolngu of course. Thanks for informing us Guan. My condolences.

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kdidj · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 255

ididjaustralia wrote:

The art world might be reeling from the death on the 18th of December 2007 of one of Arnhem Land's premier artists, a Wagilak man who used the surname Ashley. Kyle, you can probably guess who it is. When I saw Burralang some months ago I had the feeling he did not have long to go... he wasn't looking after himself and appeared to be weak and on the decline.

Sad news indeed. I had not heard of his passing and if it is indeed who I think it is then we have lost a truly gifted artist. In my opinion some of the most accomplished and unique artists of Arnhem Land come from the Ramingining area and I'm lucky to have one bark by old George Milpurrurr and one lovely serigraph by Mr Ashley. I believe his wife Dorothy was also on a downward slide some time ago.

Kyle

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flyangler18 · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 394

Quote:

The art world might be reeling from the death on the 18th of December 2007 of one of Arnhem Land's premier artists, a Wagilak man who used the surname Ashley. Kyle, you can probably guess who it is. When I saw Burralang some months ago I had the feeling he did not have long to go... he wasn't looking after himself and appeared to be weak and on the decline.

I think I know who this is- and I hadn't had heard news of the passing. Sad news- I agree, there were many accomplished artists coming out of Ramingining, always a serious thing to hear of such things.

Jason

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ididjaustralia · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 8:45 pm Post subject:

RIP Djardie (also spelt Jardie) W*d*lp* Ashley, accomplished artist, 1987 winner of National Aboriginal Art Award - passed away on the 18th of December 2007 in Darwin Hospital from suspected organ failure.

RIP Ten Canoes actor Steven W*l*nydj*ng* Malibirr, passed away 6th January 2008 at Wulkibimirri outstation, reason unknown.

Guan

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ididjaustralia · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 4:34 pm Post subject:

I didn't mention it but Adam Marrilaga's mother also passed away in December '07... it came as a surprise as Marrilaga's grandmother is still alive and going strong, one of Djalu's father's wives.

Guan

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Peter Lister · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Posts: 214 Location: Australia

ididjaustralia wrote:

RIP Djardie (also spelt Jardie) W*d*lp* Ashley, accomplished artist, 1987 winner of National Aboriginal Art Award - passed away on the 18th of December 2007 in Darwin Hospital from suspected organ failure.

Guan

heh,

dyou remember us sitting up all night back in '98 at Tanks - this fella, Bulun Bulun and Gulpiril all singing/playing yidaki for that old man Malibirr ?? It was warm, hundreds of people sleeping on the ground and those guys singing and playing their hearts out. Just a light breeze through the stringybarks and then that big round moon at 2 am - will never forget that. Will never forget him........

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