David was born at Gove hospital and grew up in Galiwinku with his family. He went to Shepherdson College. He is married to his second wife Galanini, who assists with many of his carvings.
They lived in Milingimbi for 2 years and then moved to Elcho Island.
David’s traditional Homeland is Nurrurruytjurr on the Mainland. David has four children from his first wife, and they live in Howard Island with their mother. Galanini has four children from her first husband who lives here in Galiwinku.
David & Galanini love to go hunting with their families, sit with their children, and tell them stories about the old times. Most of their time is spent with the family. They love to hunt for stingray, fish, oyster, and yam. Djarrka has the authorisation to paint the stories of his grandparents, parents, brother, and sisters. He carves different Mokuy who are ghosts or spirit men. David has described his artistic process in this way. “I close my eyes and think about the Mokuy. I see him and I carve and paint how he appears to me… big or small, with dots or feathers for ceremony, red or black or other colours.” Different Mokuy belong to different clans and have unique personalities