Title
Manpiri (catfish)
circa 1950
Artist
-
Details
- Other Title
- Catfish (Manbiri) totem
- Place where the work was made
-
Milingimbi
→
Central Arnhem Land
→
Northern Territory
→
Australia
- Date
- circa 1950
- Media category
- Bark painting
- Materials used
- natural pigments on bark
- Dimensions
- 120.0 x 40.6 cm
- Credit
- Purchased 1959
- Location
- Not on display
- Accession number
- IA24.1959
- Copyright
- © Djawa Estate. Licensed by Aboriginal Artist Agency Ltd, Sydney
- Artist information
-
Tom Djawa
Works in the collection
- Share
-
-
About
The refined minimalism inherent in the manpiri (catfish) design is given inspired form by Djäwa in 'Manpiri (catfish)' c1950. The delicacy of the brushwork across the bark, with only subtle variations, creates a mirage-like effect. Djäwa again employs a central band to ground the work, creating a sense of balance between the upper and lower sections. This design is specific to the Gupapuyngu Daygurrgurr clan.
-
Places
Where the work was made
Milingimbi
-
Exhibition history
Shown in 2 exhibitions
Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 17 Aug 1960–18 Sep 1960
Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, Queensland Art Gallery, South Brisbane, Oct 1960–Oct 1960
Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, National Gallery of Victoria [Swanston Street], Melbourne, Nov 1960–Dec 1960
Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, Western Australian Art Gallery, Perth, Feb 1961–Mar 1961
Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, National Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Apr 1961–Apr 1961
Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart, May 1961–Jun 1961
Art from Milingimbi: taking memories back, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 12 Nov 2016–29 Jan 2017
-
Bibliography
Referenced in 2 publications
-
Frederick D. McCarthy, Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, 'Introduction', pg. 7-17, Sydney, 1960, 23. cat.no. 43
-
Cara Pinchbeck, Art from Milingimbi, ‘Djawa’, pg. 76-85, Sydney, 2016, 83 (colour illus.), 141.
-
