Australian Aboriginal bark painting – Rock python and five eggs

 
Australian Aboriginal bark painting – Rock python and five eggs
 
Artist: Bob Namundja (c. 1933 – 2005)
 
Language group: Kunwinjku
 
Place of painting: Probably Gunbalanya, Western Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
 
Materials and method: Natural earth (ochre) pigments and binder painted on eucalyptus bark; branches are secured across each end of the bark slab with string.
 
Dimensions: approximately 77L x 30W cm.
 
Date of creation: Probably 1995, see comments below.
 
Condition: Excellent.
 
Provenance: Collection of Ron Perry, Tucson Arizona (co-author of “Art Dealer in the Last Unknown – Ron Perry & New Guinea Art: the early years 1964-1972”)
 
Stock no: P002
 
Comments: Bob grew up in the Mankorlod region of Western Arnhem Land. He was a Kunwinjku speaker of the Nawakaji skin. He worked as a stockman for many years and eventually settled with his wife and children in Gunbalanya (Oenpilli) in Western Arnhem Land. Bob’s paintings are held in major public collections and reproduced in important publications. The Injalak Arts Centre was established in Gunbalanya in 1989. The back of this painting appears to have an early Injalak code number: 64-8-95. This indicates that it was painted in 1995.
 
Contact us for more information or to purchase this item.