Lot 98

Gallery Gondwana, Northern Territory (accompanied by a copy of the certificate of authenticity)
Private collection, Melbourne

"Kurtal is a Storm Being from the Ngarrangkarni - the Walmajarri word from the Dreaming. He started out in coastal salt-marsh country in the north-west Kimberleys of Western Australia, and travelled south-east, creating a number of sites in country for which various different groups of people exercise primary responsibility. He also visited other Storm Beings associated with the region through which he travelled, making gifts of food and receiving in exchange important gifts to take with him. Janinyanu has painted here the birth of baby clouds. The children of Kurtal, a Storm Being is manifested in horseshoe - shaped "Wirlan" clouds. Kurtal is accompanied by dramatic displays of lightning, dusty wind, and rain. He is held responsible for and present within those particularly dramatic storms that usher in the break of the dry season."

As stated on a copy of the Gallery Gondwana certificate of authenticity

© David Downs/Copyright Agency, 2024