JACK BRITTEN (JOOLAMA)

Waringarri Aboriginal Arts, Kununurra
Private collection, Switzerland

There has been minimal loss of the white ochres to this work, however they do not detract from the overall image. There is a slight scuff to the upper right hand edge otherwise the painting is in sound, stable and good condition. The work is housed in a box frame.
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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."

Cf. For paintings of the same subject in the collections of the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Gallery of Australia are illustrated in Ryan, J. and K. Akerman (eds.), Images of Power: Aboriginal art of the Kimberley, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 1993, p.51, and Caruana, W., Aboriginal Art, Thames and Hudson, London and New York, 2003, p.180, plate 156 respectively.

The spectacular sandstone canyons of Purnululu (the Bungle Bungles) in the eastern Kimberley are the site of an encounter between two spirit beings, and one of the artist's favoured subjects. The painted surface is built up of layers of resinous paint which, in parts, produces a feint sheen. The striated hills of Purnululu are described by sinuous lines of white dots. The horizontal bands of dots across the sides of the hills relate to ritual body painting designs.