- 15
Nym Djimungurr circa 1910-1970s
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description
- Nym Djimungurr
- Namarrkon, The Lightning Man
- Bears labels on the reverse, identifying the artist as "bush native of Miella tribe", together with an explanation of the imagery and a certificate of authenticity from Dorothy Bennett.
- Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
- 66cm by 50cm
Provenance
Painted in Western Arnhem Land, circa 1963
Collected by Dorothy Bennett in Western Arnhem Land, most likely between 1962 and 1964
Tom and Adi Barnett, Vermont, USA
The Barnett Collection at Columbia University
Sotheby’s, Important Aboriginal Art, Melbourne, 30 June, 1997, lot 94 (AU612)
Fiona Brockhoff, Melbourne
Exhibited
The Awakening Dream, Aboriginal Art From Australia's Far North, Helen Day Art Centre, Stowe, Vermont, 1995.
Literature
The Awakening Dream, Aboriginal Art From Australia's Far North, Helen Day Art Centre, Stowe, Vermont, pl.2, illus.
Condition
Housed behind glass in a pale fabric lined timber frame. Overall the painting is in excellent condition. There are some small areas of pigment loss and flaking particularly to the right hand side of the phallus and to the bottom of the torso and other small areas of pigment loss scattered in a few areas on the image.
"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."
"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
Label on reverse reads, “This is a typical figure of Western Arnhem Land where the richness of local rock art is paralleled by the imagery produced on bark paintings. The Lightning Man is generally depicted with, on his elbows and knees, stone axes which he crashes together to make thunder and lightning and to bring torrential floods. He represents the destructive power of nature, often a ring of lightning runs from his head round to his testicles drawing a parallel between sexual tension and a brewing storm”
Nym Djimungurr is recorded, along with compatriot Nadjombolmi, as being one of the most significant individual contributors to rock art in Western Arnhem Land.