Aboriginal Art

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Lot 106
  • 106

Ginger Riley Munduwalawala circa 1937 - 2002 THE RUINED CITY IN THE WET

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 AUD
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Description

  • GINGER RILEY MUNDUWALAWALA
  • THE RUINED CITY IN THE WET
  • signed Ginger Riley (lower centre); bears artist's name, date and Alcaston Gallery catalogue number 5879 on the reverse and Alcaston Gallery stamp and label bearing artist's name, title and location on stretcher
  • synthetic polymer paint on linen
  • 79.3 BY 131CM

Provenance

Painted at Limmen Bight, Northern Territory in 2000
Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne
Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne, 2000
Private collection

Condition

This painting is in good and stable condition overall with no visible signs of repairs or restoration. There are scuffs and marks around the margins which would respond well to professional cleaning.
"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

Cf. For related paintings see Nyamiyukanji, the river country, 1997, and The Ruined City and the country near Limmen Bight River, 1997, in J. Ryan, Ginger Riley, Melbourne: National Gallery of Victoria, 1997, p.101, pl.61, and p.103, pl.63 respectively, illus.

The artist has depicted the main geological feature in his grandfather's country, that of a series of rocky outcrops and chasms that stands out from the surrounding landscape like a city skyline and which the artist refers to as the Ruined City. The scene is depicted during the wet season when torrents of water run down the ravines. The Nathan River, lined with hilly sandbanks, runs through this country. The waterhole in the lower left is the site of the artist's home station Wamungu.  Significantly, the Ruined City is surveyed by the protector Ngak Ngak the Sea Eagle, the artist's major totem. For a further discussion of the subject of the Ruined City, see J. Ryan, 'Ginger Riley Munduwalawala: A Seeing Artist,' in Artlink Vol. 21 no. 4.

This painting is sold with an accompanying certificate from Alcaston Gallery