Title
Namarrkon - the Lightning Spirit
1985
Artist
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Details
- Other Title
- Namarrgon - the Lightning Spirit
- Place where the work was made
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Mumeka
→
Western Arnhem Land
→
Northern Territory
→
Australia
- Date
- 1985
- Media category
- Bark painting
- Materials used
- natural pigments on bark
- Dimensions
- 136.0 x 30.0 cm (irreg.)
- Signature & date
Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- Purchased 1985
- Location
- Not on display
- Accession number
- 220.1985
- Copyright
- © Estate of Jimmy Njiminjuma/Copyright Agency
- Artist information
-
Jimmy Njiminjuma
Works in the collection
- Share
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About
This entity, who is responsible for lightning and thunder, which he produces by striking out with axes which protrude from his joints, is painted on both stone and bark in a form informants describe as ‘like a grasshopper’
Namarrkon is said to have ‘made’ aljurr, Leichhardt’s or the spectacular grasshopper (petasia ephippigera). The species emerges, mates and is most active and visible in the season known as Gunemeleng between October and December when there are intense electrical storms. Aljurr is then said to be 'looking for' Namarrkkon, the lightning spirit.
[Art Centre documentation]
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Exhibition history
Shown in 2 exhibitions
Our spirits lie in the water, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 15 Nov 2014–01 Nov 2015
Sentient lands, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 04 Jun 2016–08 Oct 2017
Sentient lands, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 21 Jan 2017–08 Oct 2017
