Wukun's father, Mithili Wanambi, died before he was able to learn from him to any great degree. He began painting in 1997 as a result of the Saltwater project in which heparticipated. His arm of the Marrakulu clan is responsible for the saltwater imagery whichhad not been painted extensively since his father's death in 1981. His caretakers, or Djunggayi, principally the late Yanggarriny Wunungmurra (1932 - 2003), transfered their knowledge of these designs to Wukun so that the title to saltwater could be asserted.Some of these designs were outside even his father's public painting repertoire.
Wukun's sister's Boliny and Ralwurrandji were active artists for a long time before this but not painting oceanic waters of Marrakulu. Wukun sought education through Dhupuma College and Nhulunbuy High School and mainstream employment as a Sport and RecOfficer, Probation and Parole Officer and at the local mine. He has five children with his wife Warraynga, who is also an artist. He is also now a grandfather. It was not until 2007 that their younger brother Yalanba began to paint.Wukun's first bark for this Saltwater project won the 1998 NATSIAA Best Bark award. Wukun has gone on to establish a high profile career.
In the 2003 NATSIA Awards, a sculptured larrakitj by Wukun was Highly Commended in
the 3D category. Since then he has been included in many prestigious collections. He had his first solo show ar Raft Artspace in Darwin in 2004, followed by solo shows at Niagara Galleries, Melbourne in 2005 and 2008. Wukun has been heavily involved in all the major communal projects of this decade, including the Sydney Opera House commission, the opening of the National Museum of Australia, the Wukidi ceremony in the Darwin Supreme Court and the films, Lonely Boy Richard, The Pilot's Funeral and Dhakiyarr Versus the King. Wukun is an activecommunity member in recreation and health projects and supports a large family.
IN 2007, he became Director of Buku Larrnggay's media centre, the Mulka Project. In thisrole he facilitates media projects such as Nhama DVD and mentors young Yolngu in accessing training and employment in the media centre. In 2008, he was comissioned toprovide a design for installation on a seven-story glass facade in the Darwin waterfrontDevelopment. In 2018 he was the winner of the Wandjuk Marika 3D award at the NationalAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award for a multi media work featuring larrakitj and film.
