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$650 (tax inc.)
SOLD
This very unique fibre sculptured dog is made by one of Maningrida’s most innovative contemporary women artists. The jamu – dog – holds special mythological as well as practical significance for Rembarrnga people of Central Arnhem Land particularly Rembarrnga women. The artist describes the special traditional relationship between women & dogs. The men used to go hunting with a spear and the women with a dog. If the men didn’t catch a kangaroo, the women would catch a goanna. If neither caught anything, then they would catch a fish. If there was neither kangaroo nor goanna, then they would eat sugarbag. This is how it was long ago. In ancient times, yes, sugarbag, lily root, yam, goanna, sand goanna, fish. Don’t forget that long ago we didn’t know European food, we knew bush food. We used to grow from bush food. As a Rembarrnga woman, Lena Yarinkura has literally and metaphorically brought together strands from her country and the mythology of her heritage to produce three dimensional creatures filled with mystical significance. Dog, mermaid, rainbow serpent, blue tongue & fish multiplication spirits: each creature plays an important role in the fabric of her and her clan’s cultural landscape. In discussion with her, Lena explains the importance of these creatures, revealing the particularly close relationship between womem and dogs and hence their significance in her work. Artistically, Lena places great importance on innovation. The 3-dimensional creatures are a testimony to this. She constantly reworks and develops their form and experiments with the medium. When asked why she began making 3-dimensional work, she said: “That’s my idea. I always think that it’s no use makiking same things but also dp different things. Think about art, not only same things. Like I’m always thinking, myself. ‘Oh, maybe I’ll make one of different things, not same things.'” Materials for her work come from her clan estate. Dayarr – pandanus – and rulk – grass – are the twines used for the creature’s bodies. Warlppurrunggu – bush turkey – and nganarrngh – black cockatoo – feathers provide bulkkan-na – hair. Marnarr – red, gamununggu – white -, garlba – yellow – ochres and roerroe – black ashes – are then carefully mixed and applied for colour.
Cash – locally only – up to $10,000 only. Layby facilities available. Card details can be advised securely using WhatsApp.
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