Mawalan Marika (c.1908 - 1967)

DJAMBUWUL (THE THUNDER MAN),, 1965

natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
bears inscription verso: artist's name, date, RCV / RE95

77.0 x 32.0 cm

James Davidson, Victoria
Private collection, Belgium

‘This work is accompanied by an image of the original descriptive label from verso: There are many stories about Bel’nu, alias Djambuwal. He is sometimes called the “Thunder Man”, but is really the waterspout. The waterspouts are visible along the coastline prior to the Wet Season. The aborigines say that he travels in the clouds and causes the rain to fall. Over his head he carries a spear as he dances in the clouds. The aborigines bend a spear in the same way when they dance with one to copy him. He belongs to the clans of the Dhuwa moiety.’

CONDITION REPORT:

This work is in excellent, stable and original condition overall, consistent with age, materials and the artist’s working methods.