MARDAYIN DESIGN, 2004
JOHN MAWURNDJUL
natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
174.0 x 58.0 cm
bears inscription on label verso: artist's name, title, language group, size, medium and Maningrida Arts and Culture cat. 537-04
Painted at Milmilngkan, Northern Territory
Maningrida Arts and Culture, Maningrida, Northern Territory in April 2004
The Collection of Colin and Elizabeth Laverty, Sydney, acquired from the above in April 2004
The Plot Thickens: Narratives in Australian Art, Heide Museum of Modern Art Travelling Exhibition, Victoria, 17 July – 26 September 2004; Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, Victoria, 4 March – 25 April 2005
This painting is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Maningrida Arts and Culture that states: ‘This work by the artist concerns a major patrimoiety ceremony of a secret and sacred nature called ‘Mardayin’. Much of the meaning of the iconography in the painting is not in the domain of public knowledge and so it cannot be explained in detail here. The painting refers to a site, Kakodbebuldi, which is an outstation in Dangkorlo clan estate in the Mann River region. Kakoddebuldi is a Mardayin ceremony performance site and is located on a large billabong covered in waterlilies. This place is about 50km south of Maningrida in Central North Arnhem Land.’