Mithinari Gurruwiwi
(1929 - 1976)
TOTEMIC CREATURES (SNAKES, BIRDS AND WATER LILLIES), 1964
natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
85.0 x 50.0 cm (irregular)
bears inscription on Yirrkala Aboriginal Art label verso: artist's name, date, moiety, and description
Estimate:
$3,000 - $4,000
Sold:
$2,945 (inc. BP)
© Mithinari Gurruwiwi/Copyright Agency 2025
lot details
Mithinari Gurruwiwi (1929 - 1976)
TOTEMIC CREATURES (SNAKES, BIRDS AND WATER LILLIES), 1964
natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
85.0 x 50.0 cm (irregular)
bears inscription on Yirrkala Aboriginal Art label verso: artist's name, date, moiety, and description
Provenance
Painted in the Yirrkala region of North-East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory in 1964
Yirrkala Aboriginal Art, Yirrkala, Northern Territory (label attached verso)
Private collection, Darwin
This work is accompanied by a description on the Yirrkala Aboriginal Art label verso:
‘Totemic snake who causes lightning and rain to fall. Water lillies [sic] and birds eating fruit. Hatching [ind.] water.’