- 16
NAMATBARA (PADDY COMPASS)
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 AUD
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Description
- Namatbara (Paddy Compass)
- MAAM (MALIGNANT SPIRIT) c.1960
- Bears artist's name 'Neiimburra' (sic) and catalogue number S495-4 on the reverse
- Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
- 84.5 by 30.5 cm
Provenance
Painted at Minjilang, Croker Island
Private collection, USA
Private collection, Western Australia
Condition
Housed in aluminium braces. Many areas of pigment loss (visible). Areas of water damage or restoration on torso, arms, face, and possibly other areas of the figure. Appears to be in stable condition now.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Cf. Perkins, H., (Ed), Crossing Country: The Alchemy of Western Arnhem Land Art, Art Gallery of New Wouth Wales, Sydney, 2004, pp. 28-34 for a series of nine images by the artist depicting similar spirit figures.
Images of spirit figures that are multi-limbed with distorted appendages are often associated with sorcery. Namatbara was one of the group of artists that included Midjawmidjaw and Nangunyari-Namiridali working together at Minjilang in the late 1950s and 60s. The Czech-French artist and anthropologist Karel Kupka collected many examples of these paintings during this period placing many into museum collections in Europe. Other examples are included in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, the Musee du quai Branly, and the Andre Breton Studio Wall in the Centre George Pompidou.
Images of spirit figures that are multi-limbed with distorted appendages are often associated with sorcery. Namatbara was one of the group of artists that included Midjawmidjaw and Nangunyari-Namiridali working together at Minjilang in the late 1950s and 60s. The Czech-French artist and anthropologist Karel Kupka collected many examples of these paintings during this period placing many into museum collections in Europe. Other examples are included in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, the Musee du quai Branly, and the Andre Breton Studio Wall in the Centre George Pompidou.