Collection
Dr David Malangi
(Australia 1927–19 Jun 1999)
- Language group
- Manyarrngu, Arnhem region
- Title
- Dhämala Story (sea eagle, catfish and king brown snake)
- Other titles:
- Sea Eagle, catfish and King Brown snake
- Place of origin
-
Ramingining →
Central Arnhem Land →
Northern Territory →
Australia
- Year
- 1983
- Media category
- Bark painting
- Materials used
- natural pigments on eucalyptus bark
- Dimensions
-
75.0 x 41.0cm (irreg.)
- Signature & date
- Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- Purchased 1984
- Accession number
- 134.1984
- Copyright
- © Dr David Malangi/Bula'bula Arts. Licensed by Viscopy, Sydney
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
The eagle tree stands just there where the conch shell is on the eastern bank of the mouth. Coming from the bush the Damala (White bellied sea eagle) going down to the saltwater – the river mouth. This country: he grew up there because he was created there and made his families grow there – this is the right country; Dhuwa country because this is his country.
A special tree – Ngurrunyuwa. See that tree it is the wattle tree; is still there and the eagle is not an ordinary eagle, it is from that country, not from another place or another eagle, it is sitting on the important tree. She made a nest and raised the eaglets. Looking at the tide to get the fish.
The Darrpa snake (king brown) is living there too, just like family for the Damala.
[Art Centre documentation]
- Bibliography (2)
-
Susan Jenkins (Editor), No ordinary place: the art of David Malangi 2004, Canberra, 2004, 88 (colour illus.).
Cara Pinchbeck, Look Aug 2009, 'The Dreamers: Artists who revolutionised Aboriginal art', pg. 24-27, Newtown, Aug 2009, 24, 26 (colour illus.).
- Exhibition history (3)
-
Bulada, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 23 Aug 1997–14 Dec 1997
No ordinary place: The art of David Malangi:
- National Gallery of Australia, Australia 31 Jul 2004–17 Nov 2004
- Queensland Art Gallery, South Brisbane 23 Apr 2005–17 Jul 2005
- Flinders University City Gallery, Adelaide 13 Aug 2005–02 Oct 2005
- Museum and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory, Darwin 12 Nov 2005–08 Jan 2006
- Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, University of Western Australia, Perth 23 Apr 2006–06 Jun 2006
The Dreamers (2009-10), Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 09 May 2009 -
