Deutscher and Hackett

Painted at Kintore, Northern Territory, in 1995
Papunya Tula Artists, Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Private collection
Sotheby’s, Melbourne, 20 July 2009, lot 149
Private collection, Melbourne

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Papunya Tula Artists which states:
'This painting depicts the mythology of a small grey bird at the rockhole site of Tjanpanlakanya south of Lake Mackay. The ceremonies associated with this mythology form part of the secret Tingari Cycle therefore no further detail was given. Generally, the Tingari are a group of mythical characters of the Dreaming who travelled over vast stretches of the country, performing rituals and creating and shaping particular sites. The Tingari Men were usually followed by Tingari Women and accompanied by novices and their travels and adventures are enshrined in a number of song cycles. These mythologies form part of the teachings of the post initiatory youths today as well as providing explanations for contemporary customs.'