- 89
MAWALAN MARIKA
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 AUD
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Description
- Mawalan Marika
- MILKY WAY c.1963
- Bears artist's name 'Mauwalan' (sic), and titled 'Sky World' on the reverse
- Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
- 87.5 by 40 cm
Provenance
Painted at Yirrkala, North East Arnhem Land
Private collection, Sydney
Condition
Very small areas of pigment loss to the white pipe clay visible in the reproduction; otherwise in excellent and stable condition overall.
"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
To many northern Aboriginal peoples the Milky Way is seen as a river in the night sky, teeming with fish and other creatures. The origins of the creation of the Milky Way vary from group to group. According to the chronicles of the Rirratingu and related Dhuwa clans, two brothers had been fishing in their bark canoe which capsized when a strong wind blew. One brother's body washed up on the shore; the other's sank. The crocodile Baru went looking for food and smelled the body of the brother on the beach. The two brothers and Baru ascended into the night sky and became constellations. A group of Possum ancestors who were constructing a cermemony, playing didjeridu and clapsticks while the woman danced, saw the stars and they too ascended into the heavens, as did the ancestral Native Cat, the submerged canoe and also the Scorpion who was once a man. They also became constellations.
Two bags of stars projecting from the Milky Way in the top right are called Djulpan; the triangular bag is male, the oval one female.
Two bags of stars projecting from the Milky Way in the top right are called Djulpan; the triangular bag is male, the oval one female.