Jack Wunuwun Sold at Auction Prices

b. 1930 - d. 1990

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  • Jack Djiwul Wunuwun - Barnumbirr Painting, 1990
    Oct. 11, 2022

    Jack Djiwul Wunuwun - Barnumbirr Painting, 1990

    Est: $6,000 - $8,000

    Jack Wunuwun was a senior custodian of the elaborate Barnumbirr or Morning Star ceremony. This continues to be performed in order to establish and reinforce trade and friendly relations between peoples from distant places across Arnhem Land. The spirits of the land keep the Morning Star in a dilly bag during the day. Barnumbirr is attached to a string and, as dawn approaches, it is released into the sky. When dawn breaks, the string is pulled to return Barnumbirr to its dilly bag. The religious stories and ceremonies associated with Barnumbirr are symbolic of life, death, and regeneration. The painting depicts Barrdje, yam leaves, and Bunpa, butterflies associated with Barnumbirr, the Morning Star ritual. The jungle site shown here is known as Mewimbi which is the artist's country. The work was painted at Gamerdi outstation where the artist lived with Johnny Bulun Bulun. It was here that they adopted the artist Lin Onus into their clan and gave him the right to paint their own rarrk designs and the butterfly story that adorns this particular bark painting. The painting demonstrates seasonal change at the end of the wet season, when fruit and yams ripen, flowers bloom, and insects flourish (it was here that he was filmed for Curtis Levy’s 1980 documentary Morning Star painter, narrated by the actor David Gulpilil). Wunuwun’s use of perspective and three-dimensionality was incredibly innovative. Wunuwun viewed art as a means to achieve reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and this philosophy is inherently reflected in his art.

    Cooee Art
  • JACK DJIWUL WUNUWUN (CIRCA 1930-1990) Untitled - Geese
    Apr. 18, 2021

    JACK DJIWUL WUNUWUN (CIRCA 1930-1990) Untitled - Geese

    Est: $700 - $1,200

    JACK DJIWUL WUNUWUN (CIRCA 1930-1990) Untitled - Geese ochre pigments on stringybark inscribed verso: WUN 33 77 x 41.5 cm PROVENANCE Garry Anderson Gallery, Sydney

    Gibson's
  • JACK WUNUWUN (1930-1990) ABORIGINAL BARK ART, 49"H
    May. 19, 2019

    JACK WUNUWUN (1930-1990) ABORIGINAL BARK ART, 49"H

    Est: $500 - $800

    Large Aboriginal painting, natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, "Burial Ceremony", Jack Wunuwun (Gamardi, Northern Territory, Australia, 1930-1990), 49.25"h, 15.25"w, mounted on a board: 54"h, 20"w, *Note: Wunuwun's art works are in the collections of The National Gallery of Victoria, The National Museum of Australia, a short film clip showing him painting at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Start Price: $400.00

    Austin Auction Gallery
  • Jack Djiwul Wunuwun (b.c.1930-1990) Galwun - Bush Yam, the Artist's Totem Earth pigments on bark
    Jun. 19, 2011

    Jack Djiwul Wunuwun (b.c.1930-1990) Galwun - Bush Yam, the Artist's Totem Earth pigments on bark

    Est: $1,200 - $1,400

    Jack Djiwul Wunuwun (b.c.1930-1990) Galwun - Bush Yam, the Artist's Totem Earth pigments on bark Catalogue no. verso A617/N 9 Group: Djinang Location: Gamedi & titled verso Purchased by the Private Secretary to the then Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Fred Chaney, on a trip to Central Australia approximately 30 years directly from the artist. 55 x 28 cm

    Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
  • Jack Djiwul Wunuwun (b.c.1930-1990) Galwun - Bush Yam, the Artist's Totem Earth pigments on bark
    Apr. 17, 2011

    Jack Djiwul Wunuwun (b.c.1930-1990) Galwun - Bush Yam, the Artist's Totem Earth pigments on bark

    Est: $1,200 - $1,400

    Jack Djiwul Wunuwun (b.c.1930-1990) Galwun - Bush Yam, the Artist's Totem Earth pigments on bark Catalogue no. verso A617/N 9 Group: Djinang Location: Gamedi & titled verso Purchased by the Private Secretary to the then Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Fred Chaney, on a trip to Central Australia approximately 30 years directly from the artist. 55 x 28 cm

    Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
  • Jack Wunuwun, 1930-1990, FIVE UNTITLED PAINTINGS
    Jul. 27, 2010

    Jack Wunuwun, 1930-1990, FIVE UNTITLED PAINTINGS

    Est: $8,000 - $12,000

    Jack Wunuwun, 1930-1990, FIVE UNTITLED PAINTINGS natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark bear the numbers WUN20, WUN26, WUN28, WUN29 and WUN30 on the reverse 98. 5 BY 42CM, 104. 5 BY 29CM, 72 BY 35. 5CM, 72 BY 40CM AND 105 BY 48CM Provenance: Executed in West Central Arnhem Land Maningrida Arts and

    Smith & Singer
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