GUNYAN (THE CRAB) and GUNYAN (LARRAKITJ), 2014

Important Fine Art and Aboriginal Art
Sydney
30 November 2016
126

GALUMA MAYMURU

born 1951
GUNYAN (THE CRAB) and GUNYAN (LARRAKITJ), 2014

natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark and hollow log

149.0 x 64.0 cm; 174.5 cm height irregular

bears inscription verso: Buku-Larrngay Mulka Arts cat. 4541H

Estimate: 
$3,500 – 4,500 (2)
Sold for $4,758 (inc. BP) in Auction 46 - 30 November 2016, Sydney
Provenance

Buku-Larrngay Mulka Arts, Yirrkala, Northern Territory (label attached verso)
The McKay Superannuation fund Art Collection, Brisbane

Catalogue text

This painting is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Buku-Larrngay Mulka Arts that states: ‘This painting shows the totemic Mirriya which feeds on the Ancestral remains of the parrot fish Yambirrku. The miny’tji or sacred clan design for the sandscapes of Djarrakpi both adorn and surround the crabs. In traditional mortuary ceremony for this clan the last act is to catch and eat Yambirrku and dispose of the bones in the ceremonial sand sculpture for the crabs to pick clean overnight.’