Item - Snakes in the tree

ID UNSW BP 1989/0475 (082491)
Artist George LIWUKANG BUKURLATJPI (c. 1927 - )
Title Snakes in the tree
Alternate Titles
Category Painting
Medium bark
Materials ochres on eucalyptus bark
Edition Number
Measurements (cms)  
  Height 86.50
  Width 24.00
  Depth 0.00
  Other Box frame: 114 x 54 x 6.5 cms
Marks/Inscriptions  
  Location
  Signed
Produced  
  When 1977
  Where Australia, NT, Elcho Island
Style NE Arnhem Land
Subject Religion
Credit Line Presented by Professor John Cawte through the Australian Government's Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme, 1989
Description/Remarks    In this painting, twin banded snakes (Ludhay) are shown hunting in a tree where they eat birds' eggs, insects and nectar from flowers. The terrestrial form of Marryalyan the sea-changer and weather-maker, is the twin banded snakes (Ludhay) which climb the tree and when at the top call to the clouds to bring lightning and thunderstorms. (from Cawte, J., The Universe of the Warramirri: Art, Medicine and Religion in Arnhem Land - see details below)
Exhibition History Exhibition of Bark Paintings & Sculptures, The University Club, UNSW, (18/07/1989 - 18/08/1989)
Bibliography Cawte, J., The Universe of the Warramirri: Art Religion and Medicine in Arnhem Land, New South Wales University Press, Kensington, NSW, Australia, 1993,, pg.72; ill.pg.73
ISBN 0 86840 013 0

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