September 2003 Fine Art and Antiques Auction
Lot 76. "Turtle and Fish Dance", pigment on bark, apprx 26" x 8-1/2", mounted to backing board with frame. Tag on verso explains the painting "The artist has here shown his sacred well, into which his spirit returns at death. He belives that his spirit also came from the well at birth. Turtle and Fish are two of the dances performed in an initiation ceremony, and are a re-enactment of the dances which the Hawilak (sp) Sisters performed in mythological times in an effort to prevent Yurlungurr, the sacred Python, from swallowing them". Mawalan was a noted artist, statesman and ritual leader of the Dhuwa at the beach camp Yirrkala, North East Arnhem Land in Australia.
500.00/1000.00 Sold $603.75
September 2003 Fine Art and Antiques Auction
Lot 77. "Yirrkala-Sacred Story", pigment on bark, apprx 24" x 12-3/4", mounted to backing board and frame and dated 1963. Tag on verso describes the three panels as such: "Top-Clouds and three thunder men-two with knees on ground, One standing carrying spears, Center-Brown strips, hills-Some men holding spears, Bottom-Some men kneeling-this is portrayed in Aboriginal dances". Mawalan was a noted artist, statesman and ritual leader of the Dhuwa at the beach camp Yirrkala, North East Arnhem Land in Australia.
500.00/1000.00 Sold $488.75