DHATAM (LARRAKITJ), 2012

Important Aboriginal Works of Art
Melbourne
25 May 2016
66

MALALUBA GUMANA

born 1952
DHATAM (LARRAKITJ), 2012

natural earth pigments on hollow log

182.5 cm height

bears inscription on attached Buku-Larrngay Mulka Arts label: artist’s name, location and cat. 4280F

Estimate: 
$3,000 – 4,000
Sold for $10,370 (inc. BP) in Auction 43 - 25 May 2016, Melbourne
Provenance

Buku-Larrngay Mulka Arts, Yirrkala, Northern Territory, acquired at the Darwin Art Fair 2013
The McKay Superannuation Fund Art Collection, Brisbane

Catalogue text

This work is accompanied by a certificate from Buku-Larrngay Mulka Arts which states: ‘This work represents Garrimala, a billabong near the artist’s residence, the Dhalwanu clan homeland at Gängan. It is a sacred site for the artists’ mother’s Gälpu clan. But this imagery really refers to perhaps the oldest continuous human religious iconographical practice – the story of the Rainbow Serpent in West Arnhem rock shelters. Wititj is the all-powerful Rainbow Serpent (olive python) that travelled through Gälpu clan lands and on further, during the days of early times called Wanarr. Djaykun the Javanese file snake is a companion and possible alternate incarnation of Wititj, living in amongst the Dhatam, or waterlilies, causing ripples and rainbows (djari) on the surface of the water (one reference in the cross hatch).’