|
|
MARRY DIXON NUNGURRAYI
TITLE: Maku (Witchetty Grubs) Dreaming
SIZE: 142cm X 85cm (" X 33.5")
MEDIUM: Acrylic on canvas
YEAR PRODUCED: circa 2003
PROVENANCE: Private collection Melbourne. Leonard Joel's Fine Art Auctioneers, Melbourne 2006.
Teaching is a very important part of the Aboriginal culture. To pass on traditional knowledge and values is essential for the survival and the well being of their land. Digging for honey-ants and Witchetty grubs is passed down to the new generations, usually by the women. Other skills which are passed on by the females of the tribes and communities include hunting for goannas; finding bush bananas; tracking; digging and cooking.
All these aspects of aboriginal life are symbolically represented in (temporary) sand designs and now in modern materials and supports (oils on canvas). In fact, when modern Aboriginal painting kicked off in 1971, the first painting in the dot style to be produced by the Papunya elders, treated the Dreaming of the honey ant.
Much of traditional Aboriginal life revolved around seasonal ceremonies such as the initiation rights of young men and women. Pitjantatjara women from the Western Desert perform witchetty grub dance cycles. The dance cycles tie in with the creation stories.
The witchetty grub forms the a part of the staple diet of the Aboriginal people in Australia. It's healthy properties (high levels of protein) have been known to the Aborigines for centuries. They can be eaten raw, or cooked over an open fire. The name witchetty grub comes from the Adnyamathanha Aboriginal language.
This work by Mary Dixon, is highly stylized and noted by it's striking, dense uniform dotting. Like it's close-by community Papunya, who decided to restrict their palette to ochre-like colors, Mary Nungurrayi has used these colors yet there is not feeling of limitation in this stunning work.
Contact us regarding any questions you may have regarding the work.
