Lot 65: YIRAWALA , CIRCA 1903-1976 MIMIH AND KANGAROO INCREASE Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark

Bears artist's name, date, catalogue number 31, together with descriptive notes on label attached to the reverse Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark

52.5 by 26.5 cm

Painted at Minjilang, Croker Island, Western Arnhem Land
Private Collection

The descriptive notes on the reverse read in part: "The painting shows Kundaagi (sic), the Red Plains Kangaroo being speared by a mimih, next to them is a cheeky yam mimih. The figures at the bottom are dancing, singing and copulating. The central mimih is female. The dance is magical and concerns the death and the rising of the Kangaroo's spirit. It has been killed and eaten but is restored to life by the mimih through sacred magic ritual. This is a basic story for the lorrgon (sic) mortuary ceremony performed by tribal Aborigines in Arnhem Land."