Lot 125A
Bob Wanur Namundja, also known as Wanurr Namundja (Australian, from the Gardbam Clan, lived ca. 1922 to 2007), Mankorlod region of western Arnhem Land, ca. mid 20th century CE. A striking painting, made on a large sheet of eucalyptus bark with mineral pigments, depicting a rock python, its body coiled around four eggs. The body is segmented, each segment striped, as are the eggs. This painting was done in the age-old style of West Arnhem Land, which is part of the oldest continuous tradition of painting (from rock art to bark) known in the world. The colors are created from the ocher that is naturally occurring in the region. The body of the python recalls the Rainbow Serpent, an important part of the Dreamtime mythology of Aboriginal Australians. Size: 12.5" W x 31.65" H (31.8 cm x 80.4 cm)
The artist, alongside his brother, was featured in the exhibition "The Art of Two Brothers: Bob Wanur Namundja and Don Nakadilinj Namundja" at the Cross Art Projects in Sydney, Australia in late 2005. The curator, Andrew Blake, wrote, "The brothers pay homage to a bush life in their place, called Mankorlod, a place spiritually focal to the Kardbam clan. Their stylised paintings depict the beauty and mystique of the plants, animals, ancestors and creator beings, totems and myths associated with Mankorlod. Both men are Kunwinjku speakers of Nawakaji skin. Bob was the formal authority to Mankorlod
The brothers oddly metaphysical images describe a rich monsoonal forest pocket: livistona palms, noisy fruit bats and birds, possums in the rock ledges, snakes and echidnas, long yams and fruit and, in the waters made sacred by the Rainbow Serpent, lilies, fish and freshwater prawns."
A similarly-sized painting by the same artist sold at Sotheby's, London, in 2015 for approximately $3000: http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2015/aboriginal-art-thomas-vroom-collection-l15321/lot.16.html
Provenance: ex-private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection; ex-Ron Perry collection; Ron Perry collected art and artifacts for more than 40 years in New Guinea and the South Pacific. He collaborated with Carolyn Leigh to write a book entitled, "Art Dealer in the Last Unknown: Ron Perry & New Guinea Art: the early years 1964-1972" (2011)
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#130018
- Condition: Excellent condition, with light surface wear commensurate with age. Signature on the back along with the title of the painting, written in black ink.
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