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David Malangi, began painting in the early 1960s and played a vital role in the development of the contemporary Aboriginal art movement. During his lifetime, he became one of the great inspirational figures of Arnhem Land art. While for many older Australians, he is best known for the image that featured on the now defunct one-dollar note, he was also a travelling ambassador for his country and his people, achieving world-wide recognition for his innovative yet deeply tradition-based bark paintings.
Cooee ArtDAVID MALANGI (Australian, 1927 - 1999). The Hunter Myth, circa 1960, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia, 1999 Bark painting dyed with natural inks Description: One of the most important parts of the Mahrrangun Mortuary Rites Ceremony is concerned with the telling of the story of Gurrumirringu, the mighty hunter who was killed by a poisonous snake. An Evil Tree settled itself beside a wide billabong and enticed a poisonous brown snake to live beneath its roots. The Tree hated Gurrumirringu, and one day, when Gurrumirringu stopped to rest and eat beneath the tree, the evil spirit encouraged the snake to slide across to the hunter and bite him. Gurrumirringu died immediately. This painting depicts the Tree Spirit. Acquired in 1984 at "Aboriginal and Pacific Art Gallery" (Victoria Australia). ARTIST PROFILE: David Malangi was an Indigenous Australian Yolngu artist from the Northern Territory. He was one of the most well known bark painters from Arnhem Land and a significant figure in contemporary Indigenous Australian art. He was born at Mulanga, on the east bank of the Glyde River. - 31 h x 19 w x 7 d inch
Sloans & KenyonDAVID (MALANGI) DAYMIRRINGU (1927 - 1999) GUMIRRINGU CEREMONY, c.1960 natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark 123.0 x 72.0 cm (irregular) PROVENANCE Painted in Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory Private collection, Perth © David Malangi Daymirringu/Copyright Agency 2023
Deutscher and HackettDr David Malangi Daymirringu Untitled Natural earth pigments on bark Code 19366 ($1,500)
Theodore BruceDr David Malangi Daymirringu Untitled Natural earth pigments on bark Code 19367
Theodore BruceDAVID MOWALJARLAI (1925 - 1997) Argula natural earth pigments on bark 97 x 38.5 cm (irregular) inscribed 'David Mowaljarlai' and titled verso
LawsonsDAVID MALANGI DAYMIRRINGU (1927-1999) (Mahnarrangu Language Group) Plants and Seeds natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark inscribed verso with artist's name and unknown cat. no. RA/- 61 x 32cm PROVENANCE: Painted at Ramingining, Arnhem Land The Collection of John Graham, Melbourne OTHER NOTES: The Arnhem Land region of the Northern Territory extends roughly from the eastern half of the peninsula that forms the most north-eastern portion of the territory's footprint. Of the portable arts, the Arnhem Land region is widely renowned for their bark paintings, sculpture and weaving. As the market for bark paintings in particular emerged in the early 20th century, the iconography evolved, depicting animals and spirit beings, resembling paintings found in ancient rock shelters in the vicinity. While variations in the artform are evident across the region, the west tend towards the figurative and moving east, geometric design become more apparent. Within The Collection of John Graham are several important examples of bark paintings spanning across the whole Arnhem Land region, appearing in this auction from lots 25 to 44. Melbourne-based collector and artist John Graham first showed interest in works from this region when as a young artist in David Larwill's Prahran studio in the 1980s, he discovered a large two-volume catalogue 'Primitivism in 20th Century Art'. It wasn't until this moment that a lifelong passion blossomed. As an artist, collector and explorer Graham traversed the globe with a lifelong pursuit of 'art holidays' - journeys to the countries famous for the 'Art Premier' (or tribal art), to both explore and study these cultures and to further develop his own art practice. Graham has travelled to, and collected from, West Africa, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, Borneo, India and well as within Australia. Graham collected his first Australian Aboriginal bark painting in 1990, Wandjina, by Lily Karadada (lot 41), from Emerald Hill Gallery in South Melbourne. Graham's eye was drawn to figurative works, painted onto undulating bark surfaces with natural ochres. He subsequently unearthed a considerable collection of works from the desirable 1960s and 70s period - when such works were sold by the church missionary societies, such as Oenpelli. Seeing himself as a caretaker of these works, Graham remains a collector and is happy to offer this selection of works to others who also share his love of Aboriginal bark paintings. Lucy Foster | Senior Art Specialist
Leonard JoelDAVID MALANGI DAYMIRRINGU (1927-1999) (Mahnarrangu Language Group) Plants and Seeds natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark inscribed verso with artist's name and unknown cat. no. RA/- 61 x 32cm PROVENANCE: Painted at Ramingining, Arnhem Land The Collection of John Graham, Melbourne OTHER NOTES: The Arnhem Land region of the Northern Territory extends roughly from the eastern half of the peninsula that forms the most north-eastern portion of the territory's footprint. Of the portable arts, the Arnhem Land region is widely renowned for their bark paintings, sculpture and weaving. As the market for bark paintings in particular emerged in the early 20th century, the iconography evolved, depicting animals and spirit beings, resembling paintings found in ancient rock shelters in the vicinity. While variations in the artform are evident across the region, the west tend towards the figurative and moving east, geometric design become more apparent. Within The Collection of John Graham are several important examples of bark paintings spanning across the whole Arnhem Land region, appearing in this auction from lots 25 to 44. Melbourne-based collector and artist John Graham first showed interest in works from this region when as a young artist in David Larwill's Prahran studio in the 1980s, he discovered a large two-volume catalogue 'Primitivism in 20th Century Art'. It wasn't until this moment that a lifelong passion blossomed. As an artist, collector and explorer Graham traversed the globe with a lifelong pursuit of 'art holidays' - journeys to the countries famous for the 'Art Premier' (or tribal art), to both explore and study these cultures and to further develop his own art practice. Graham has travelled to, and collected from, West Africa, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, Borneo, India and well as within Australia. Graham collected his first Australian Aboriginal bark painting in 1990, Wandjina, by Lily Karadada (lot 41), from Emerald Hill Gallery in South Melbourne. Graham's eye was drawn to figurative works, painted onto undulating bark surfaces with natural ochres. He subsequently unearthed a considerable collection of works from the desirable 1960s and 70s period - when such works were sold by the church missionary societies, such as Oenpelli. Seeing himself as a caretaker of these works, Graham remains a collector and is happy to offer this selection of works to others who also share his love of Aboriginal bark paintings. Lucy Foster | Senior Art Specialist
Leonard Joelunsigned; painted bark; framed under glass; 29 x 17 inches; 36 x 24 inches frame
Abell AuctionDAVID MALANGI DAYMIRRINGU (1927-1999) Mirramina (Sacred Waterhole) 1975 natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark inscribed on backing verso with Avant Galleries cat. no. 464, unknown cat. no. P21-6-88 79.5 x 51.5cm PROVENANCE: Created in Central Arnhem Land, 1975 Avant Galleries, Melbourne Sotheby's, Melbourne, 17 June 1996, lot 285 The Kelton Foundation, United States of America
Leonard JoelDAVID MALANGI DAYMIRRINGU (1927-1999) The Hunter 1965 natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark 49 x 35cm PROVENANCE: Sotheby's, Melbourne, 9 November 1998, lot 241 The Collection of Mr. Kelton, United States of America
Leonard JoelDAVID MALANGI DAYMIRRINGU (1927-1999) The Snake That Bit Gunmirringu 1969 natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark inscribed verso with artist's name and unknown cat. no. CT170 56 x 86cm PROVENANCE: Collected in Australia in 1970 Gifted to Caleb Brewster, San Francisco The Aboriginal Art Collector, Jupiter, Florida The Collection of Mr. Kelton, United States of America, acquired 1995 EXHIBITIONS: The Evolving Dreamtime: Contemporary Art by Indigenous Australians – Part II, Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, California, 15 March – 21 May 1995
Leonard JoelDAVID MALANGI DAYMIRRINGU (1927-1999) Buwata Bustard 1969 natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark inscribed verso with artist's name and unknown cat. no. AS15 48 x 81cm PROVENANCE: Collected in Australia in 1970 Gifted to Caleb Brewster, San Francisco The Aboriginal Art Collector, Jupiter, Florida The Kelton Foundation, United States of America, acquired 1995
Leonard JoelDAVID (MALANGI) DAYMIRRINGU (1927 - 1999) UNTITLED, 1984 natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark 105.0 x 47.5 cm (irregular) bears inscription on paper tape verso: artist's name PROVENANCE Produced in the Ramingining area of Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory Private collection, Northern Territory This work is located at our Melbourne gallery © David Malangi Daymirringu/Copyright Agency 2021
Deutscher and HackettCooee Art Indigenous Fine Art Auction "David Malangi, began painting in the early 1960s, and played a vital role in the development of the contemporary Aboriginal art movement. During his lifetime, he became one of the great inspirational figures of Arnhem Land art. While for many older Australians, he is best known for the image that featured on the now defunct one-dollar note, he was also a travelling ambassador for his country and his people, achieving world wide recognition for his innovative yet deeply tradition-based bark paintings. In this work, Malangi has depicted the funeral of the first man, the hunter Gurrmirringu, who lies in state surrounded by seated song men with clapsticks ensuring that the ancestral spirit arrives safely at its final destination. Surrounding the group are remnants of the funeral feast. The white berry tree, with its ordered rows of berries and leaves, structures and frames the picture while nearby lurks Dharpa, the King Brown Snake, the evil spirit whose bite killed Gurrmirringu. This image depicts the occasion of the first death and how Gurrmirringu+IBk-s spirit came to watch over Malangi's Manyarrngu people. During the 1970s and 1980s David Malangi began to take aspects of the Gurrmirringu myth and explore new compositional possibilities in individual paintings, often setting the scene with the plants and animals before the grand event. His style was unmistakable due to its masterly draughtsmanship, rich natural pigments and captivating composition." Contact Cooee Art for more information on this Aboriginal artwork.
Cooee ArtDAVID MALINGI DAYMIRRINGU (Aboriginal, 1927-99) Sacred Dreaming Fruit Tree with Bird and Snake, painting on bark, circa 1980, 61 x 30cm (approx.) (affixed to backing board)
Leski Auctions Pty LtdDAVID MALANGI "Malanga Story" Limited edition silkscreen. 10/94 Artwork is signed and framed. Image: 62cm x 48cm, Frame: 88cm x 71cm
Ozbid AuctionsOHNE TITEL Pigmente auf Holz. Maße des Schaukastens: 99,5 x 41,2 cm Rückwärtig mit Etikett. In Plexiglaskasten durch drei Haken gehalten. Malangi war ein Maler der Aborigines vom Stamme der Yoingu. Ohne sein Wissen druckte die Australische Reserve Bank eines seiner Traumzeitbilder 1966 auf die 1-Dollar-Note, wodurch er Berühmtheit erlangte. (1241359) (13)
Hampel Fine Art AuctionsDAVID MALANGI "Malanga Story" Limited edition silkscreen. 10/94 Artwork is signed and framed. Image: 62cm x 48cm, Frame: 88cm x 71cm
Ozbid AuctionsDavid Daymirringu Malangi (1927-1999) Poisonous Snake, 1965 natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark 90.5 x 45.0cm (35 5/8 x 17 11/16in). For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website
BonhamsTHE PETER AND RENATE NAHUM COLLECTION OF ABORIGINAL ART, LONDON DAVID (MALANGI) DAYMIRRINGU (1927 – 1999) GUMIRRINGU CEREMONY, c.1960 natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark 70.0 x 47.5 cm (irregular) bears inscription verso: artist’s name and cat. M09 PROVENANCE Painted in Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory Private collection Deutscher~Menzies, Melbourne, 27 June 2000, lot 518 The Peter and Renate Nahum Collection of Aboriginal Art, London
Deutscher and HackettDavid Malangi (1927 - 1999) Untitled natural pigments on bark 90.5 x 45 cm .
LawsonsIn this singular work by Malangi are depicted two pairs of creative female spirits. One set is of the Yirritja (Yang - sunset) moiety (his mother's Balmbi-language people) and the other is associated with his own Manyarrngu (people of the mangroves) - they are the Djang'kawu sisters. The two Yirritja Spirit Women came to his mother's land at Yathalamarra and created a spring that fed the two large kidney shaped water holes that exist there today. Yathalamarra is the place of the waterlily flower - the place of the evening star. A low relief sand sculpture of a circle in a square is created in earth or sand, representing this spring and another spring associated with the spirit of the emu. The other women are the wives of the male creative spirit Gurrunirringgu (really Djang'kawu himself). They are the Djang'kawu Sisters and they journeyed along the coast and the mouth of the Glyde River. Story supplied by Djon Mundine.
Cooee Artfreshwater catfish, natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, artist name and typed paper label verso, 56cm x 20.5cm
Bargain Hunt Auctions