Lot 88

Work bears small splits in the bark on each end (not significant and does not compromise the integrity of the work). Pigment loss has occured (naturally) seen most particularly in the white pigment- consistent across whole work and not seen as damage. Four pin head-sized punctures are present in the work, running horizontally, appearing aged and possibly even present on the bark at time of creation.


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Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.

Milingimbi Methodist Mission, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory (copy of label attached verso)
The Collection of Ken Hutchison, Melbourne
Private collection, Melbourne

This artwork bears the following inscription verso:
"This is a pictorial record of the coming of the two Wawilak Sisters from inland to Arnhem Land. It is the central theme of the sacred ceremonial cycle of the Liyagalawumirri people.
The two sisters and their children travelled to this new country carrying their sacred digging sticks (bottom right), their short stone spears and woomeras (top) along with their sacred singing sticks (top centre). For in those days these sisters were the ceremonial leaders. As their footsteps led them into a new country, they saw and named the various items of flora and fauna and the heavenly bodies. At last they came to the sacred waterhole at Mirrimina the home of the great python- Yulungurr. The younger sister profaned the pool with menstrual blood. Yulungurr smelt the blood and rose from the depths, crawled around a paperbark tree to survey the sisters' camp nearby. Later, he rose again, circled the camp with his great length and caused flooding rains. The sisters sang powerful ceremonial songs to stop the rains. But Yulungurr swallowed the sisters and their children. When he rose into the heavens to talk with the other great snakes, they discovered his folly for the sisters and children were of his moiety, he fell to earth in shame, causing a triangular ceremonial ground (right) which is used for all Wawilak ceremonies today."