Ray Mudjandi, from Mirarr and Western Arrernte clans is an aspiring young artist living in Djibbiyak in the heart of Kakadu National Park. Mudjandi was born in Darwin and grew up between Djibbiyak and Katherine. As a young child he experienced and overcame several serious health conditions, experiences that have influenced his creative practice. The young Mudjandi was very imaginative and spent much of his time drawing. Like most young people he enjoyed video games, Marvel comics, and watching cartoons and superhero movies, but also loved watching family members and senior artists painting. When he was in Katherine, he spent a lot of time with western Arnhem Land artist John Lemibanda. “He’d watch painting for a bit, go play outside for a bit and come back and watch painting’ his mother, Rosie Mudjandi said. ‘Once when he was little, he painted all over his bedroom wall.” Today Mudjandi continues to create artworks at Marrawuddi Art & Culture in Jabiru. He is constantly creating new superhero characters with intricate narratives, often in response to his surroundings, and issues that may affect him and his community. Mudjandi’s work is a perfect balance between contemporary and traditional art, he works with his elders who teach him old traditional ways, whilst putting his urban spin on traditional styles. The contrast and synergy between contemporary Pop culture and Bininj culture is at the heart of Mudjandi’s work. The same contrasts are at play between the naive and profound. "My grandpa taught me how to do my artwork, we did painting with Manyilk. I like to paint and draw, mostly superheroes, Spiderman is my favourite" - Ray Mudjandi 2018