SEVEN SISTERS, 2014

Important Aboriginal Works of Art
Melbourne
25 May 2016
77

SYLVIA KANTJUPAI KEN

born 1965
SEVEN SISTERS, 2014

synthetic polymer paint on linen

121.0 x 300.0 cm

bears inscription verso: artist’s name and Tjala Arts cat. 186-14

Estimate: 
$10,000 – 12,000
Sold for $9,150 (inc. BP) in Auction 43 - 25 May 2016, Melbourne
Provenance

Tjala Arts, Amata, South Australia
Outstation Gallery, Darwin
The McKay Superannuation Fund Art Collection, Brisbane

Catalogue text

This work is accompanied by a certificate from Tjala Arts which states: ‘This is a Tjukurpa Story (Creation Story) about the constellations of Pleiades and Orion. The sisters are the constellation of Pleiades and the other star Orion is said to be Nyiru or Nyirunya (described as a lusty or bad man). Nyiru is forever chasing the sisters known as the Kunkarunkara women as it is said he wants to marry the eldest sister. Every now and again one of the sisters fall victim to his ways. It is said that he eventually captures the youngest sister, but with the help of the oldest sister, she escapes back to her sisters who are waiting for her. Eventually the sisters fly back into the sky to escape Nyiru, reforming the constellation.’