[10], The first of four sons born to Ganyinurra (Daisy), of the Gumal clan, and Nyambi "Terry" Yunupingu, a Gumatj clansman,[11] Yunupingu was born blind in Galiwin'ku, Elcho Island, in 1971,[12] situated off the coast of Arnhem Land in northern Australia, about 530 kilometres (330mi) east of Darwin. Although his solo career brought him wider acclaim, he was also formerly a member of Yothu Yindi and later of Saltwater Band. In July last year, filmmaker Paul Williams, sound engineer Pip Atherstone-Reid and Michael Hohnen, creative director of Darwin record label Skinnyfish Music, were in an editing room at Windmill studios in Collingwood, Melbourne. Light spills to the left side of his face, tumbling down his forehead, eyebrow, cheek and lips. Its beyond homesickness, Hohnen tells a promoter in explanation. His gentle lament-like songs were mainly performed in Gumatj, Galpu or Djambarrpuynulanguages of the Yolngu people of north-eastern Arnhem Landwith references to sacred bush animals, the sea and the seasons, tribal ancestors, funeral songs, love for his parents and reverence for the land. If interested in music and guitars, then you are in the right place and will learn a lot. were a close unit, In a 2009 interview with him and Hohnen, Yunupingu said that he was generally shy but more comfortable playing music, and went on to say: "I don't have much to say to people when I talk. While Gurrumul's premature death came as a shock to many of his fans around the world, the 46-year-old had waged a protracted struggle with kidney and liver disease for many years. TheCompanion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store. The album is an ambitious project which continues Gurrumuls habit of marrying together the two worlds he lived in. Gurrumul agreed to the film as long as his health was not a part of it; and his uncle, Yunupingu, asked that life in their community be shown with dignity. Gurrumul went double-platinum, earned exceptional . But the European tour is a success and they sign with a US promoter, promising unlimited opportunities. A mixture of traditional songs and new compositions, they reflect his background growing up in one of the most remote but beautiful parts of the continent. In a cover article Rolling Stone called him 'Australia's most important voice'. I think thats the only way you move forward. Gurrumul rarely said anything during his concerts and gave no interviews. When Gurrumul arrives home after long periods away from touring and recording, we see a great deal of affection upon his return. Many examples of Gurrumuls remarkable work are available on YouTube. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu did exactly what youd do if you didnt want to be successful but he succeeded anyway. "And the most nerve-racking thing for me was whether Gurrumul himself and his family and the other people on Elcho would actually relate to these arrangements. He was best known as a singer. Largely self-taught, he plays drums, keyboards, guitar and didgeridoo, but it is his clarity of voice that has attracted rave reviews. The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bengali: ), or BELA (), is a nonprofit legal organization established in 1992 to assist efforts to protect the environment. That killed me, near the end of the film, when his uncle says that he exceeded all our expectations.. Blind from birth, the proud Yolngu man spoke through his music. [10] In December 2020, Yunupingu was listed at number 33 in Rolling Stone Australia's "50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time" issue. In 2012, Gurrumul was refused service by a taxi driver after a concert performance in Melbourne, and in 2015, his musician brother and uncle were refused three pre-booked taxis in Darwin. We used to think Gurrumul wouldnt go far, would never show his independence, says Yunupingu. source: http://www.thearchibaldprize.com.au/winners/archibald, Aboriginal singer beats poverty and prejudice to top Australian charts Blind from birth and raised in thecommunity of Galiwinku on Elcho Island, Gurrumul was brought up learning the stories and history of his people, through song and dance, the rhythms of life and nature shaping his musical ear and sensibilities. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); It could be that you are wondering whether you are in the right place. And I think Yolngu don't want him forgotten, that's what they said to us. All of the songs ended up in major keys, a coincidence which to Hohnen's mind gives it a happy vibe. "[21], In 2008 Yunupingu was nominated for four ARIA Awards,[22] winning the awards for Best World Music Album[23] and Best Independent Release. His cheeks are full and prominent. Gurrumul was a self-taught instrumentalist, playing guitar, piano, drums, and didgeridoo. With such a big, bright personality, heis a very much loved and honoured member of his community. This song has been hailed by critics and millions over th. Gurrumul and Gurrumul's songs speak of identity, spirit, connection with the land, the elements and the ancestral beings to whom he is related. The Australian Music Prize (AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. Gurrumul is front facing, his head tilts down until his right. "He was extremely ill.", Williams, who had known the singer for years before beginning work on the documentary, seems a little haunted, as if Gurrumul knew his time had come. Filming behind the scenes on Elcho Island (Supplied), New documentary Gurrumul gives an insight in to the humorous and cheeky side of the acutely shy singer, Gurrumul with Skinnyfish music producer and good friend, Michael Hohnen (Supplied). His third release, The Gospel Album (2015), cemented what those close to him had known for years that this unassuming Indigenous Australian, who was born blind and taught himself to play a guitar held upside down, wasn't an angelic-voiced flash in the pan. With a voice that captured the heart of millions across the world, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was an enigmatic talent. ago. Herein, how did gurrumul go blind? His albums were praised by music critics and singer-songwriters alike, including Sting, Elton John, Paul Kelly and others who performed with him. "A lot of youngsters in the north-east Arnhem Land region, where G comes from, and other youngsters from all around NT, from every Aboriginal community, a lot of youngsters are doing music today. 1 on the iTunes Australia roots music chart in April 2008. The exact details of Gurrumuls death are not clear, but according to press reports he had indicated that he did not want to continue with his difficult and debilitating dialysis treatment. [55], The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Ted Gondarra, Elcho Island resident stated that the final wish for the film, which was given approval by Gurrumul only a few days before he passed away, was that it would be a source of continued pride for the community. So by the time he was Gurrumul, he was ready.". Blind from birth, the proud Yolngu man spoke through his music. In less than a decade, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu became Australias biggest-selling Indigenous musician. In fact, the documentary is the closest any journalism has come to explaining the challenge of living in two cultures which both demanded so much from Gurrumul. Gurrumuls songs speak of identity, spirit, connection with the land, the elements and the ancestral beings to whom he is related. [40] In the same year, a species of frog from the Wessel Islands, Northern Territory, was named Uperoleia gurrumuli (Gurrumul's toadlet) in honour of Yunupingu. Half a million copies of Gurrumul have been sold worldwide. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. 3 on the ARIA Charts. A rare and moving visual of how life and death is honoured in Yolngucommunity. Yunupingus songs are attracting people who do not normally listen to Aboriginal music and he received standing ovations after two recent performances at the Sydney Opera House. Your email address will not be published. Further listening casts new light on what's happening, though. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - History (I Was Born Blind) - YouTube 0:00 / 3:47 Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - History (I Was Born Blind) DramaticoMusic 67.2K subscribers 309K views 13. His condition had worsened in recent years, to the extent that Skinnyfish had retired the singer from touring in late 2015. "[That] was a real challenge, but also a great pleasure to come up with these arrangements," he recalls. It is a deteriorating, awkwardly silent affair that ends with Hohnen lowering his head to the desk in front of him. Gurrumul has performed for Her Majesty the Queen of England, US President Barack Obama, Prince Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton, and Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark. The portrait won the Archibald Prize for 2009. Singer-songwriter Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu will release his eponymous solo debut album Gurrumul via Dramatico Entertainment on June 15. The cover of Gurrumuls eponymous studio album (2008). [8] Yunupingu's friend Michael Hohnen produced the album and was his translator, collaborator and confidant. abbreviation. The album reached Triple Platinum in Australia and Gurrumuls voice connected with listeners such as Elton John, will.I.am and Sting. This song has been hailed by critics and millions over th. "This last record is testament to him transcending genre and transcending what's expected of an Indigenous artist," he says. Sir Elton John, Sting and Bjrk are among his fans. He left the group in 1995 to live full-time on Elcho Island and later co-founded and co-led the Saltwater Band, which was active from 1999 to 2009. Hes also taking steps to ensure the Yolngu family and community are happy for the releases to go ahead. Gurrumul's face centrally occupies the frame, leaving minimal room for background detail, indistinct light grey brushstrokes behind his neck and face. His condition had worsened in recent years, to the extent that Skinnyfish had retired the singer from touring in late 2015. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (born 1970) is an indigenous Australian musician, who sings in the Yolngu language. Even though he couldn't see the nature, he was born to feel the nature." Gurrumul was not an enigma, the film reveals, but rather a man with a strong sense of humour, deep ties to his homelands, and little taste for the limelight as he travelled around Europe, the US and Australia. They commenced in 2005. He has had solo exhibitions at the Tim Olsen Gallery and was a finalist in the 2007 and 2008 Dobell Drawing Prize. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu's legacy: why his music didn't stop. For further information please contact NPG Copyright. On one level TheCompanion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. I think it's more that they're really proud. His angelic voice connected with fans the world over, including such notable names as Elton John, will.I.am, Sting, Gary Barlow, Quincy Jones and Stevie Wonder. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. However, a very rare exception has been made byGumatj and Glpu clan leaders for this film. Iain Shedden, music critic of The Australian newspaper, said there was an incredible aura around Yunupingu, while another music critic, Lou Novachek, described his voice as sublime. Gurrumuls second studio album, Rrakala (2011). "We wanted to release the album while he was alive so he could live it out on the airwaves around his, community and further afield," says Hohnen. (age35in2009), Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Critics raved about his unearthly voice, fusion of music styles and authentic Aboriginal sound and stories. He was instrumental in persuading the singer to embark on a solo career and with the appropriate musical setting. 69 on the ARIA Charts and No. Nea definition National Education Association. His first album as an acoustic artist, Gurrumul, was released in Australia in 2008 and went double platinum. Central to Gurrumul's career was Michael Hohnen, a musician and producer who established SkinnyFish Records and was the first to encourage the shy singer to step out from the Saltwater Band to develop his own unique style of playing and performing.
