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• Auction House:
  Bonhams Australia
• Sale Name:
  Important Australian Art
• Sale Date:
  04 Apr 2023 ~ 6pm (AEST)
• Lot #:
  10
• Lot Description:
  Wanyubi Marika
  (born 1967)
  Daymirri, 2001
  natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
  228.0 x 75.0cm (89 3/4 x 29 1/2in).
  inscribed verso: 'WANYUBI / 2270K'
• Provenance:
  Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala, Northern Territory (label attached verso); Annandale Galleries, Sydney (label attached verso); Private collection, Switzerland, acquired in 2003
• Notes:
  The label attached verso describes the two areas and the sea between Galariya and the island of Dhambalyia, which is influenced by the Thunder Man and Daymirri the Ancestral Whale. The land and associated events connect the two clan groups of the Rirratjinu and Djambarrapuynu, who have custodial rites to this country. Daymirri the whale is illustrated swimming in these waters. Mythology has it that when a particularly large turtle was speared, one of the ancestral Minyipa or Dhangatjiya hunters jumped into the water to try and push the turtle into a canoe. Daymirri caught this hunter. The next morning the people found the body of the man that the whale had swallowed and spewed up but it was bleached white. Which is now Mandala or Whale Rock, standing firm against the tidal movements and rough seas. A metaphor for both clans culture - solid as a rock. The fine crosshatching behind these icons is the Rirratjinu sacred clan design denoting the swirling waters. The top panel of the painting is a reference to a different clan connection. That between Marrakulu and Rirratjinu clans at various places along the songline of Djungawan ceremony but including the nearby mainland site of Nhulunbuy. The references in this design are to felled Stringybark trees, blossom, running freshwater and flowing honey.
• Estimate:
  A$7,000 - 10,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Art

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.