Lot 26: CHARLIE NUMBULMOORE , DEVIL DEVIL c.1969

Bears the artist's stenciled hand on the reverse Natural earth pigments and synthetic binder on composition board

59.5 by 46 cm

Acquired directly from the artist, most probably at Gibb River Station, by the two brothers who were jackarooing in the Kimberley
Private collection, New South Wales

Cf. Sotheby's, Aboriginal Art, Melbourne, 9 July 2001, lot 7, for another depiction by the artist of the same subject matter. According to anthropologist, Kim Akerman, this figure is probably representative of the Agula or Spirit Woman, Jilnya, a malevolent spirit in the north Kimberley. Akerman suggests that the ears usually indicate a spirit figure and talons, the nature of the beast. It is interesting to note that the figure has the black eyes encircled with eyelashes and a black oval shape on the breastbone, both characteristic of the artist's representations of Wanjina.