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10
Djoni Bunguwuy (circa 1922-1982)
Djalambu (Gupapuyngu Mortuary Rites)
bears Milingimbi Methodist Mission stamp on the reverse and bears artist's name, provenance and a description of the subject matter depicted on a label on the reverse
natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
90 x 54cm (35 7/16 x 21 1/4in).
Estimate:
AU$ 3,000 - 5,000
US$ 3,000 - 5,100
£1,900 - 3,200

Footnotes

  • PROVENANCE:
    Painted circa 1970
    Milingimbi Methodist Mission, Central Arnhem Land
    Private collection

    Cf. For another similar example depicting the same narrative in the collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, see Linda Michael (ed.), They are Meditating: Bark Paintings from the MCA's Arnott's Collection, Sydney: Museum of Contemporary Art, 2008, p.98, cat.no.[1993.50].

    The label on the reverse reads: 'This is a pictorial record of the Gupapuyngu mortuary rites. Centre is the hollow burial pole (Djalambu) which contains the bones of the deceased. This is the final dance from the above cycle. It tells of the divers which hunt the freshwater catfish as they swim among the waterlillies in the waterhole which is the home of Djalambu. The bullroarers are used in the ceremony to represent the noise of the divers. Also included in the painting are the bones of the catfish'.

Category: Fine Art / Aboriginal Art

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