Baimumungbi (“Jacky”) circa 1925-1979

Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark

Acquired from the artist at Mudjinberri (Mudjinbardi) by Lance Bennett, in 1966
The Thomas Vroom Collection, The Netherlands

No repairs or restoration. There are some small areas of pigment loss scattered throughout, although all remaining pigment appears stable. There is evidence of water damage emanating from the lower edge of the bark, rising for approximately 5cm.
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Lance Bennett’s accompanying documentation reads in part, “The artist has here shown a family of namarnde spirits hunting for flying fox spirits. A flying fox is shown hanging upside down from a branch having not yet left its camp to fly about hunting for fruit on trees.

Two of the female spirits are shown wearing pubic aprons: folded pieces of paperbark held in place with bush string (spun from the bark strips of the Banyan tree). The husband has removed the apron from the third wife and is making love to her while they keep eye on the prey.”