NGALYOD THE RAINBOW SERPENT, 1985
JOHN MAWURNDJUL
natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
138.0 x 67.0 cm
bears inscription verso: artist’s name, language group, title, location and Maningrida Arts and Crafts cat. K190
Maningrida Arts and Crafts, Northern Territory
Lawson’s, Sydney, December 1986, lot 338
Milton and Alma Roxanas, Sydney
Bonhams, The Collection of Milton and Alma Roxanas, Sydney, 11 May, 2014, lot 13 (label attached verso)
The McKay Superannuation Fund Art Collection, Brisbane
This work is accompanied by a certificate from Maningrida Arts and Crafts which states: ‘NJALJOD – The Rainbow Serpent. The Rainbow Serpent occurs as a highly-important figure in the mythology of many Aboriginal groups. The nature of NJALJOD is in some myths male or neuter, while in others it is specifically female. The ‘mother one’ Rainbow Serpent is most often associated with an increase of species. As well as being bisexual, depending on the site, NJALJOD can be regarded as either belonging to the Dhuwa or Yirritja moieties. It can be benign or highly-dangerous. Some sites are tabu (sic), except for elders to approach; other sites may even be favourite hunting or swimming places. Only clever men (marrgidjbu) can see the Rainbow Snake in his dreaming places. The Rainbow Serpent can still take other forms sometimes appearing as a buffalo or kangaroo... a clever man will see past this disguise.’