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A superb old Aboriginal Bark Painting from Western Arnhem Land Northern Territory Australia
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| Collection No. | T-5661 |
|---|---|
| Size | 83cm x 52cm |
This Superb Old Bark Painting depicting Ngalkunburriyaymi and Namorrordrdo Spirits from the Oenpelli Area in Western Arnhem Land Northern Australia
In Western Arnhem Land, Ngalkunburriyaymi is the female spirit, sister of Ngalyod (the rainbow serpent) and the child of creator spirit Jingana. The Namorrordrdo at her side is an malevolent spirit whose magical power is represented by the depiction of the beard.
Cross-hatching on bark paintings called Raark is one of the most distinctive and beautiful features of Arnhem Land Bark Paintings closely-spaced fine lines are drawn in particular colours, intersecting each other. The chosen colours may be specific to a particular clan, and the effect is difficult to describe but produces a deep impression on the viewer. Traditionally, the most sacred designs drawn on bodies during ceremonies were drawn with a quality called “bir’yun”, which is loosely translated as scintillation (as in the twinkling of stars) but carries a connotation of sunlight reflected off the sparkling water.
Indigenous Artists from the Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, use crushed earth ochre pigments to paint on sheets of eucalyptus bark, they paint beautiful spiritual images of deep cultural significance that show their spiritual connection with specific tracts of country
Arnhem Land Rock Art sites are some thousands of years old where ancient rock shelters were painted and maintained over generations, Arnhem Land is world-renowned for its Rock Art.
The designs seen on Arnhem Land Bark Paintings are traditional designs that are owned by the artist, or his “skin”, or his clan, and cannot be painted by other artists. In many cases, these designs would traditionally be used to paint the body for ceremonies or rituals, and also to decorate logs used in ceremonies. Artists also would paint designs on the bark walls and roofs of their shelters where stayed during seasonal food gathering.
Provenance: Painted at Gunbalanya (Oenpelli), Arnhem Land circa 1975. The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic and Australian Aboriginal
If you have any Bark Paintings I am always interested in buying & I pay top prices for Bark Paintings that I like.
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