Crusoe Kurddal
(Australia 1961– )
- Language group
- Kuninjku, Arnhem region
- Title
- Mimih spirit
- Place of origin
-
Maningrida →
Central Arnhem Land →
Northern Territory →
Australia
- Year
- 2002
- Media category
- Sculpture
- Materials used
- natural pigments with PVA fixative on kurrajong wood (Brachychiton diversifolius)
- Dimensions
-
263.0 x 14.5cm
- Signature & date
- Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- Mollie Gowing Acquisition Fund for Contemporary Aboriginal Art 2003
- Accession number
- 347.2003
- Copyright
- © Crusoe Kurddal. Licensed by Viscopy, Australia
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
'Mimih spirit' 2002 is an extremely accomplished example of the mimih sculptures for which Crusoe Kurddal is renowned.
The double figure arrangement of 'Mimih spirit' 2002 is highly unusual and emphasised by the complementary use of red and black ochred backgrounds for each figure. The meticulous application of body paint and care taken in the carving of this work, contribute to the sculpture's highly resolved quality. Kurddal's use of contrasting base colours is possibly attributable to the growing artistic presence of his brother Owen Yalandja, who carves the elegant yawkyawk figures and often employs a black background. The carving of mimih and yawkyawk figures has become one of the primary dry season occupations of the Maningrida art centre artists. However, Kurddal remains the most distinguished of the 'mimih artists' through his depictions of these enigmatic and much revered beings in performance and carving.
The Oxford Companion to Aboriginal Art & Culture states: 'Crusoe Kurddal is the second son of the artist Crusoe Kuningbal (c. 1922-1986). Kurddal has become best known for continuing both the sculptural and musical traditions of his father. Kurddal is the only one of Kuningbal's three sons who performs his father's solo mimih style dance routine. Along with his elder brother Owen Yalandja, Kurddal also continues to perform the singing of the individually-owned kunborrk songs from his father's repertoire. In the early 1990s Kurddal started to produce very large versions of the sculpted mimih spirit figures which were made famous by his father. Large sculptures of other clan totems such as yawkyawk (mermaids) are also produced by Kurddal and Yalandja.'
Kurddal travels regularly between Maningrida, Oenpelli, Darwin and Croker Island and has performed as a dancer throughout Australia as well as on tours of North America and Europe.
© Australian Art Department, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2003
- Bibliography (4)
-
Hetti Perkins (Australia) (Author), Art + soul: a journey into the world of Aboriginal art, Carlton, 2010, 44 (colour illus.), 278.
'art + soul: bringing remote cultural riches to a gallery or screen near you' by Jill Sykes, pg. 28-31., Look Sep 2010, Sep 2010, 31 (colour illus.).
Hetti Perkins (Australia) (Author), Margie West (Australia) (Author), Theresa Willsteed (Editor), One sun one moon: Aboriginal art in Australia, Sydney, 2007, 90 (colour illus.).
Hetti Perkins (Australia), Crossing country: the alchemy of western Arnhem Land art, Sydney, 2004, 197 (colour illus.), 224.
- Exhibition history (3)
-
Crossing country: the alchemy of Western Arnhem Land art, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 24 Sep 2004–12 Dec 2004.
One sun, one moon, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 03 Jul 2007–02 Dec 2007.
Country Culture Community (2008-09), Art Gallery of New South Wales, 12 Nov 2008–19 Apr 2009.
