Stan Yarramunua: From hardship to healing through art

In Short:
– Stan Yarramunua, an Aboriginal artist, uses art for healing and advocates for repatriation of ancestral remains.
– He has created artwork for celebrities like Stevie Wonder and Bono while emphasising personal growth through recovery.

Stan Yarramunua is an Aboriginal artist who transformed his life through art, gaining international recognition. Host Penny Lane describes him as a pioneer for Indigenous artists and a storyteller of country and spirit. Yarramunua began painting in a rehabilitation centre, initially using art as a coping mechanism. He sold his first painting for $120 and progressed to sell high-end Aboriginal art in Melbourne. He has since exhibited in New York and operates galleries on the Gold Coast and in Sydney. His recovery journey led him to put down alcohol permanently on 3 August 1993, enabling his growth in various artistic pursuits.

Recently, Yarramunua returned from Germany, where he participated in the repatriation of his great-great-grandfather’s remains, taken over a century ago. He performed cultural ceremonies and advocated for the return of Aboriginal remains held in institutions across Europe.

Yarramunua has created commissioned artwork for celebrities like Stevie Wonder and Bono. He emphasises the importance of humility and self-awareness, stating the best advice he received is to manage ego and resentment. He has published a book titled *A Man Called Yara*, and people can find his art online by searching “Art Yarramunua.”