Untitled | GA-1476

DOB: c. 1960-2002

Language: Dalabon, Myalli

Skin: Kamarrang

Community: Bulman, NT





Charles Manyita was born in Bulman, where he grew up surrounded by a number of well-known artists, including his father, uncle and his brothers Ron and Neil.

Charles learnt to paint by watching his father and uncle, who passed down their knowledge to him. It was expected that all adults in Charles’ clan were to remember and reproduce the clan designs appropriate to their level of ritual training and knowledge.

Charles used the basic colours of white, yellow, red and black and his paintings mostly depict the animals of the bush hunted for food. Sometimes his paintings show aspects of mythology, spirit creatures of the rocky escarpment and, most importantly, dreaming ancestors.

He sadly passed away in 2002.