Mithinari Gurruwiwi
(Australia 1929–01 Nov 1976)
- Community
- Yirrkala, Arnhem region
- Language group
- Galpu, Arnhem region
Djaykung (File snakes)
- Location
- 20th & 21st c Australian art
- Further information
Mithinari Gurruwiwi was an exceptional and prolific artist from the Blue Mud Bay area of north-east Arnhem Land. Born in 1929, Gurruwiwi was taught to paint by Mawalan Marika and his works predominantly refer to the Galpu clan’s lands around Caledon Bay and Garrimala, further inland. Gurruwiwi’s works offer a seamless combination of figurative elements and abstract clan designs. His exquisite infilling techniques of delicate dots, fine lines and intricate cross-hatching, contrasted with bold areas of pure colour, enliven his works. This is especially evident in this work, one of the finest bark paintings in the Gallery’s collection. Completed when Gurruwiwi was only 30, the work depicts waterlily-covered billabongs that are home to plump file snakes, valued food sources that are just part of the riches to be found in Galpu country.
- Place of origin
-
Yirrkala,
North-east Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory,
Australia
- Year
- circa 1960
- Media
- Bark painting
- Medium
- natural pigments on eucalyptus bark
- Dimensions
- 280.0 x 70.0cm (irreg.)
- Signature & date
- Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- Gift of Professor Harry Messel 1987
- Accession number
- 392.1987
- Copyright
- © Estate of Mithinari Gurruwiwi. Licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency
