"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.
"The more restricted geometric art of north-east Arnhem Land is characterised by a fixed repertoire of repeated diamond or rectilinear patterns which originate from ceremonial body painting designs. The ability to paint particular stories and use certain designs is determined by the artistsÂ’ moiety - Yirritja or Dhuwa and then further determined by his clan and social status" visit The Art Gallery of South Australia at www.artgallery.sa.gov.au for more information about Aboriginal art.
500/1,000 Sold $488.75
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