Mathaman Marika artist and an important ceremonial man, participated in the Gove land rights struggle in the late 1960s. He was one of the signatories on the third Bark Petition presented to Parliament in 1968.
As an artist he was most prolific from the late 1950s through to his death in 1970. 'During his artistic career, Mathaman developed his own particular style for painting the Djang'kawu's travels to Yalangbara, the Morning Star ceremony, and the Nhulunbuy stories such as Wuyal the Sugarbag Spirit.'
'He also regularly painted the Wagilag Sisters associated with the site of Marwuyu in central Arnhem Land. The rights to paint this were apparently established early in the twentieth century by Mawalan's grandfather with the Manhdalpuy clan during an exchange of ceremonial songs and paintings. Because of this, Mathaman and his descendants continue to paint the Wagilag story today.' (Source: National Museum Australia website: nma.gov.au; Schwarz Janien 1999)
