Lot 317: Owen Yalandja (b. 1960). Yawk Yawk (Girl Figure) Spirit, 2005

height 53in (135cm)
Natural earth pigments on carved Kurrajong wood

Provenance:
Maningrida Arts & Culture, Central/Western Arnhem Land
Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne
Private American Collection

Owen Yalandja is a Kuninjku artist, senior member of his Dangkorlo clan and custodian of the important Yawk Yawk site. The sculpture represents a mythological figure of a "young woman" spirit, who lives in the water and is transformed into a mermaid like figure with fish tails. YawkYawk shadows are thought to be seen flying away from humans who come near. Owen Yalandja is a Kuninjku artist, senior member of his Dangkorlo clan and custodian of the important Yawk Yawk site. Only wood from the Kurrajung tree is used to provide a distinctive shape to Owen Yalandja's work.