Birrunga Wiradyuri

Wiradyuri man Birrunga Wiradyuri, is the founder and principal artist of the multi award winning Birrunga Gallery & Dining situated in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD. Dedicated to fulfilling his cultural responsibilities, following and practicing the central Wiradyuri law of Yindyamarra, Birrunga is a cultural practitioner and visual artist whose narrative works explore the spirituality of the Wiradyuri people, in historical and contemporary contexts. Birrunga’s motto, ‘If not for me, then whom’, resulted in the co-founding of the Wayne Weaver Foundation, a charity that provides pro bono pre and post release, transition and reintegration support for Indigenous prisoners and has seen Birrunga unescorted inside prison, spending time with Indigenous prisoners on matters of Cultural priority since 2015. Before all that though, he attended Buderim Primary School from 1969, moving onto Maroochy High where he survived until his expulsion in early Gr10, from there, moving to Nambour High where he successfully completed his junior certificate under duress. Noted artist, Archibald and Wynne Prize winner, Sam Fullbrook, awarded Birrunga 1st prize in the Buderim Primary School’s all of school art competition in 1969, in the self portrait category, noting at the time that Robert showed talent worthy of support and development. Birrunga is committed to supporting, developing and promoting emerging Indigenous talent.