Lot 28
  • 28

Abadjura Ningkumanja Amagula SPIRIT OF THE DREAMING

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 AUD
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Description

  • Abadjura Ningkumanja Amagula
  • Kneepad Jabarrgwa
    1896-1975

    natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark

  • DIAMETERS: 33.3CM, 33.7CM, 22.9CM, 25.4CM AND 31.1CM

Provenance

Painted on Groote Eylandt
Collection of William McE. Miller, Jr, USA

Condition

All the bark paintings have no repairs or restorations. Painting 1: There are minor surface abrasions around the perimetre. Painting 2: There are minor surface abrasions around the perimetre. A minor surface crack, 10cm in length, runs from the top centre down to the left of the main figure's head. Painting 3: There are minor surface abrasions around the perimetre. Painting 4: There are minor surface abrasions around the perimetre. Painting 5: There are minor surface abrasions throughout and some pigment loss to the body of the figure and in the outline (mostly visible in catalogue illustration). Finally, there is minor fraying to the centre right edge of the bark.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Mr Miller met with Nanjiwarra Amagula in New York City on July 22nd 1981 at which point he provided explanations for a number of the Groote Eylandt paintings in his collection including this suite of five rounded barks. In addition to identifying one of the artists as Nanjiwarra's stepfather Abadjura Ningkumanja Amagula he recorded the following explanations:
1. Dancing people at a funeral for the one who died, whose spirit is on the right side.
2. Spirit takes the form of a bat to fly up-along with others who died.
3. Upon reaching the place where spirits go, he becomes a man; then he becomes a seagull, 'the place where I stay is Amarangga. The seagull built the place when the spirit went up (the seagull makes the north-east and south-east wind). The seagull said "you go up; I'm going to live in this place and mind the place". So we know the seagull stays. People will know me. Name children after him'.
4. (By Kneepad) The turtle is part of totemic brother, but is boss over the seagull. Turtle Dreaming near Amagula River. When people hunt for turtle-we have a special place. People can't find turtle; 'The old men' tell us to dig in a special place "special area" to dig up coral (with Baler shell): then we get half bag of coral, take it into the dug ou canoe, go one-two miles out to sea and scatter it in the ocean. Then we return to sleep one or two days; then we go hunting and find lots of turtles floating everywhere. We kill one or two and then return for more.
5. Mother's totem is a blue-tongue lizard. Nandjiwarra is born from the blue-tongued lizard. Sand is scooped out; the lizard spirit dwells there.

The barks are sold with a copy of Mr Miller's notations taken at the meeting with Nanjiwarra.

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