Black was known for his depiction of the Murrungun Morning Star story, and the illustration of animal totems such as: the Black-headed Python, Longneck Tortoise, Butterflies and Sawfish. Born in 1954, in Central
Arnhem Land, Black was taught the art of painting from his father. He is particularly known for his sculptures of the forest mokuy, a devil like creature - one of which received a Honourable Mention in the Australian Heritage Commission Art Award in 1993, held at Old
Parliament House in Canberra. Black created four Dupan (hollow Logs) for the renowned 1988 Aboriginal Memorial,
an installation commemorating the deaths of all indigenous people since
white occupation. The installation was exhibited at the Biennial of
Sydney- beneath the Southern Cross, before moving to the National
Gallery of Australia as a permanent display. Black appeared in the 1967 film Across the Top a documentary
by Malcolm Douglas recording the traditional life in Arnhem Land, the
Gulf of Capentaria and Cape York. In 2005 Black made his screen debut
in De Heer’s Award winning film 10 Canoes playing one of the
lead canoeist. The film was a great success and aided in educating the
world about the Yolngu culture in Ramingining, Central Arnhem Land. Black was also mentioned in the 2005 sixth annual Smart Art Survey, as featured in Australian Art Collector (Issue
33, p. 117).