GULWARRK, THE NIGHT BIRD, c.1969

Important Aboriginal Art
Melbourne
26 March 2014
148

NARRITJIN MAYMURU

(1922 - 1981)
GULWARRK, THE NIGHT BIRD, c.1969

carved and shaped softwood with natural earth pigments

39.0 cm height

Estimate: 
$1,200 - 1,500
Sold for $1,560 (inc. BP) in Auction 34 - 26 March 2014, Melbourne
Provenance

Jim Davidson, collected 1970s
Estate of Irene Davidson, Melbourne

Catalogue text

The night bird Gulwarrk became lonely so he set out to find his friend Marrnu, the possum, to talk to. During the day he found him in several places but Marrnu would not talk to him because it was daylight. Ever since the Gulwarrk only calls at night as he knows that this is the only time Marrnu will answer him.