GURTHA, 2012

Important Aboriginal Works of Art
Melbourne
25 May 2016
135

BARRUPU YUNUPINGU

(1948 – 2012)
GURTHA, 2012

natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark

106.0 x 47.0 cm

bears inscription verso: Buku-Larrngay Mulka Arts cats 05-10 Yirr and 4039A together with a distressed Buku-Larrngay Mulka Arts label

Estimate: 
$2,000 – 3,000
Sold for $1,830 (inc. BP) in Auction 43 - 25 May 2016, Melbourne
Provenance

Buku-Larrngay Mulka Arts, Yirrkala, Northern Territory
Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne (cat. AK 18632)
The McKay Superannuation Fund Art Collection, Brisbane

Catalogue text

This work is accompanied by a certificate from Buku-Larrngay Mulka Arts which states in part: ‘The totemic significance of fire to the Yunipingu family of Gumatji clan is paramount. It is said that the Gumatj clan language, Dhuwalandja, is itself the tongue of flame. Cuts through all artifice. It incinerates dishonesty leaving only the bones of the truth. In the initial interface between Yolgnu sacred art and the Western art world an early decision was made on the Yolgnu side to use figurative imagery to cover the miny’tji in paintings. This miny’tji is the source and record of the sacred identity of the law and the land portrayed.’