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• Auction House:
  Deutscher and Hackett
• Sale Name:
  Australian Aboriginal Art Including Works from the Maclean Collection - Timed Online Auction
• Sale Date:
  19 May 2020 ~ 7pm (AEST)
• Lot #:
  18
• Lot Description:
  Samson Bonson
  (born 1968)
  Mimih Spirit, 2007
  natural earth pigments with synthetic binder on carved kurrajong
  168.0 cm height
• Provenance:
  Maningrida Arts and Culture, Maningrida, Northern Territory (cat. 1664–07); Annandale Galleries, Sydney; Maclean collection, Melbourne, acquired from the above in November 2007
• Exhibited:
  "Young Guns II," Annandale Galleries, Sydney, 16 April – 10 May 2007 (illus. in exhibition catalogue, p.15)
• Notes:
  This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Maningrida Arts and Culture, Maningrida which states in part: ‘Aboriginal people in the rocky environments of western and south-western Arnhem Land tell of the existence of tall slender spirits which they call "Mimih". The name "Mimih" is well known throughout the top end of the Northern Territory. Aboriginal groups living in the rocky environments of western and southern Arnhem Land share mythology which relates to the beings known as "Mimih". The people of western Arnhem Land believe that "Mimih" spirits live in a social organisation similar to Aboriginal people and that "Mimih" society existed before humans. "Mimih" are credited with instructing the first people with knowledge relating to survival in the rocky environment of the Arnhem Land plateau. "Mimih" are said to have taught the first humans how to hunt and butcher game and also how to dance sing and paint. Despite the usual descriptions of "Mimih" as being benign towards humans sometimes however they are attributed with mischievous and dangerous qualities, capable of kidnapping and even killing humans. "Mimih" are however, terribly thin, having necks so slender that a stiff breeze would be fatal. For this reason, they emerge only on windless days and nights to hunt. As soon as a breeze develops, the "Mimih" are said to run back to their rocky caverns and disappear inside.’
• Estimate:
  A$1,500 - 2,000
• 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.