Peter Marralwanga (1916 - 1987)

SALT WATER CROCODILE AND MIMIH, c.1978 - 79

natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark

134.0 x 70.0 cm

bears inscription verso: artist’s name and Maningrida Arts cat. 328/NWI (indistinct)

Maningrida Arts and Culture, Maningrida, Northern Territory
Aboriginal Arts and Crafts, Sydney
The Collectors Gallery of Aboriginal Art, Sydney
Private collection, Sydney, acquired from the above in 1978

This work is accompanied by documentation from Maningrida Arts that states in part:

‘The artist is one of the best bark painters in the traditional style. No other artist has the right to paint in the same unique way.

In this painting he has depicted his ‘Dreaming’ Crocodile being attacked by a Mimi Spirit. Although Mimis are tiny match-thin creatures who live in the rocky escarpments, they are credited with enormous power and skill in hunting and fishing and have been known to kill large kangaroos and crocodiles.’