NGALYOD THE RAINBOW SERPENT IN THE FORM OF YINARNGA (KANGAROO), 1989

Important Australian + International Fine Art
Melbourne
15 July 2020
79

JOHN MAWURNDJUL

born 1952
NGALYOD THE RAINBOW SERPENT IN THE FORM OF YINARNGA (KANGAROO), 1989

natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark

212.0 x 68.0 cm (irregular)

Estimate: 
$30,000 – 40,000
Sold for $85,909 (inc. BP) in Auction 61 - 15 July 2020, Melbourne
Provenance

Maningrida Arts and Crafts, Maningrida, Northern Territory (cat. MAW142, certificate of authenticity attached verso)
Deutscher Gertrude Street, Melbourne, acquired from the above in 1989
The Peter and Renate Nahum Collection of Aboriginal Art, London

Exhibited

Kunwinjku; Bark paintings by James Iyuna, John Mawurndjul and Ivan Namirikki, Deutscher Gertrude Street, Melbourne, 12 – 28 July 1989

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Maningrida Arts and Crafts which states: 'Ngalyod – rainbow serpent is a very important figure in Kunwinjku mythology. He is known by different names and assumes different forms. He is the central focus of many dreaming sites, each of which has a different story. Here, Ngalyod is taking the form of Yinarnga – a dreaming kangaroo – at the artist’s mother’s country at Barrihdjokweng. At this site – Daluk (female spirit) of the Yirridja moiety, broke the sacred law by entering Ngalyod’s territory and was swallowed by him. This spirit now exists at the site as Wyuk – waterlily, which is shown on the stomach of Yinarnga. Ngalyod disguises himself with Wyuk, hiding so as to surprise intruders. This is considered a dangerous place to touch or break waterlily stems of leaves. On the right hand side and under the chin of Yinarnga is goln – palm tree.’