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1970s Australian Aboriginal Bark Painting by Dick Nguleingulei Murramurra - NR

Fresh Hawaii estate find - One of two we have listed

Measures 12 1/8" x 27"
Original natural pigment painting on bark
Attributed to Dick Nguleingulei Murramurra (1920 - 1988)

(b W. Arnhem Land, N. Territory, 1920; d 1988). Australian Aboriginal painter. His father, whose native language was Dangbon and whose clan group was Bularlhdja, was adept at painting on rock shelters and on the roofs of bark shelters; Ngulayngulay was tutored in this tradition, and throughout his life his work retained a strong affinity with rock-painting styles. He painted with natural ochres on sheets of bark removed from the Eucalyptus tetradonta tree. Like other artists from this region, for example Lofty Nabarrayal, he preferred to paint figurative images of common animal species, which were characteristically infilled with X-ray motifs. His painting Two Freshwater Fish (c. 1975; Canberra, N. Mus.) reveals the drama that he could achieve with such apparently simple subjects. He used hatched parallel lines of red ochre to give substance to areas of the figure. A common subject was the mimi spirit, shown spearing or butchering a kangaroo, as in Mimi Spirits Cutting up a Kangaroo after the Hunt (c. 1975; Canberra, N. Mus.), which is a fine example of his ability to tackle such traditional scenes in an innovative way. The image relates to hunting techniques but is also a theme that is elaborated in many ceremonies of the region. Ngulayngulay’s figurative forms show an accuracy, delicacy and sense of proportion reminiscent of the finest rock painters. For many years researchers had visited Oenpelli, one of the two major towns in the region of Western Arnhem Land, to collect art, and the production of art and craft had become a major community occupation in the 1960s. Ngulayngulay began painting works for sale at Oenpelli Mission then, but later in his life he worked at a small camp at Marlkawo, near the lands of his clan at Kukadjerri.

artfact.com

Singular barramundi done in the traditional x-ray style with bone structure and internal organs showing
All original, completely untouched
In good condition considering age, see photos
Be sure to view our other great estate finds we have listed this week, including another painting by this artist