painting
- Museum number
- Oc1963,06.1
- Description
-
Painting made of bark, with cane bound with twine at either end. On the left, six figures that appear to be running with raised arms are depicted in black, three either side of a horizontal rectangular section; the whole decorated with a pattern of diamonds. On the right four figures depicted in orange stand two either side of a rectangular shape (decorated with diamonds, and with a plain orange triangle which points toward the centre). Each pair of figures has a background of vertical lines and diamonds. Vertical section filled with diagonal lines at the left edge, centre and right edge.
- Production date
- 20thC (before 1963)
- Dimensions
-
Length: 106 centimetres
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Width: 54 centimetres
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Depth: 5 centimetres
- Curator's comments
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Register information: 'Made by Bridjidi, a 60 year old Aboriginal.... Traditional style and technique, probably made for sale through a mission.'
Birrikitji Gumana was a senior ceremonial leader of the Yolgnu people of northeast Arnhem Land, Australia. He gave evidence at the Yirrkala land case in 1970. Born circa 1895, he was described as then the oldest person living at Yirrkala and head of the Dhalwangu clan.
Refer: N. Williams, "The Yolgnu and their Land", AIAS, Canberra, 1986.
The Koolatong River flows into the north of Blue Mud Bay south of Gangan in Arnhem Land.
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Register 1963
Bark painting, painted with six dancing human figures in black, and two standing and two seated in brown. Spaces filled in with black and brown lozenges, red and white cross-hatching etc.
Made by BRIDJIDI, a 60-year old aboriginal. "The legend regarding this painting concerns itself with a secret male ceremony. The six black figures represent dancers who are using bullroarers as clap sticks. The four squatting figures have come out of the water, supposedly the KOOLATON River in the Northern Territory, to give instructions to the dancers on tribal policy."
Traditional style and technique, probably made for sale through a mission.
ARNHEM LAND, N. TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1963
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Oc1963,06.1