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Munggurrawuy Yunupingu

(Australia circa 1907–12 Apr 1979)

Language group
Gumatj, Arnhem region
Title
The Rain Men (Birimbira)
Other titles:
The Rain Men or Birimbira
Place of origin
Yirrkala → North-east Arnhem Land → Northern Territory → Australia
Year
circa 1959
Media category
Bark painting
Materials used
natural pigments on bark
Dimensions

67.3 x 56.5cm

Signature & date
Not signed. Not dated.
Credit
Gift of Dr Stuart Scougall 1959
Accession number
IA49.1959
Location
Not on display
Further information

Munggurrawuy Yunupingu's bark paintings are complex, many layered narratives pertaining to the creation of the Gumatj homelands in north east Arnhem Land. The diamond shaped miny’tji (sacred clan designs) are distinctive to Yirritja moiety artworks. In these paintings, the journeys and actions of ancestor beings are revealed, accompanied by motifs representing the transformation they wrought up on the landscape, such as the smoke and ash of fires, footprints, thunderclouds and rain.

Bibliography (1)

Tony Tuckson (Egypt; England; Australia, b.1921, d.1973) (Author), Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, Sydney, 1960, 28. cat.no. 74

Exhibition history (9)

Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 17 Aug 1960–18 Sep 1960.

Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, Queensland Art Gallery, Oct 1960–Oct 1960.

Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, National Gallery of Victoria [Swanston Street], Nov 1960–Dec 1960.

Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, Western Australian Art Gallery, Feb 1961–Mar 1961.

Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, National Gallery of South Australia, Apr 1961–Apr 1961.

Australian Aboriginal art: bark paintings, carved figures, sacred and secular objects: an exhibition arranged by the State art galleries of Australia, 1960-1961, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, May 1961–Jun 1961.

Gamarada, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 15 Nov 1996–16 Feb 1997.

Bulada, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 23 Aug 1997–14 Dec 1997.

ochre: bark paintings from the Collection (2000-01), Art Gallery of New South Wales, 02 Nov 2000–06 May 2001.