Mick Kubaku Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Mick Kubaku Art Value Price Guide

Jun. 06, 2023
MICK KUBARKU AND LULU LARRADIB, MIMIH SPIRIT, 2003
Est: $3,000 - $4,000
MICK KUBARKU AND LULU LARRADIB (1922 – 2008) & born 1949 MIMIH SPIRIT, 2003 natural eath pigments and PVA fixture on carved hardwood (Kurrajong (brachychiton diversifolius) 209.5 cm (height) PROVENANCE Maningrida Arts and Culture, Maningrida, Northern Territory (cat. 5014-03) Collection of James Smeaton, Melbourne, acquired from the above This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Maningrida Arts and Culture which states: ’Aboriginal people in the rocky environments of western and south-western Arnhem Land tell of the existence of tall slender spirits which they call Mimih. The name Mimih is well known throughout the top end of the Northern Territory. Aboriginal groups living in the rocky environments of western and southern Arnhem Land share mythology which relates to the beings known as Mimih. These groups include the Kunwok chain of languages, and also Rembarrnga, Dalabon and Djawoyn language groups. Other groups of people with familial and ceremonial links to rock country inhabitants are also familiar with the idea of the Mimih. In recent years the Mimih has become a topic in the repertoires of some artists among the Kunibidji people, speakers of the Ndjebbana language and the traditional landowners of the Maningrida area. The people of western Arnhem Land believe that Mimih spirits live in a social organisation similar to Aboriginal people and that Mimih society existed before humans. Mimih are credited with instructing the first people with knowledge relating to survival in the rocky environment of the Arnhem Land plateau. Mimih are said to have taught the first humans how to hunt and butcher game and also how to dance, sing and paint. The song and dance style of western Arnhem Land Aboriginal people is still known today as Mimih style. This term is also used by Aboriginal people further to the east in Central Arnhem Land when describing the dance and song of their western neighbours. Despite the usual descriptions of Mimih as being benign towards humans sometimes however they are attributed with mischievous and dangerous qualities, capable of kidnapping and even killing humans. ’Clever’ men, or Aboriginal men with supernatural powers, sometimes befriend the Mimih and are taught their songs and dances and shown their secret places. The Mimih are like people using the same kinship terms and speaking the same language as the local Aboriginal group. They live in families like humans and it is said that some of these Aboriginal men with mystical knowledge have spent time living with them in their camps. Mimih are however, terribly thin, having necks so slender that a stiff breeze would be fatal. For this reason they emerge only on windless days and nights to hunt. As soon as a breeze develops, the Mimih are said to run back to their rocky caverns and disappear inside.’ This work is located in our Melbourne Gallery This work is in very good, stable and original condition. The figure has been placed on a black painted metal support stand for exhibition.
Deutscher and Hackett
Jun. 06, 2023
MICK KUBARKU AND LULU LARRADIB, NGALYOD, RAINBOW SERPENT, 2004
Est: $6,000 - $8,000
MICK KUBARKU AND LULU LARRADIB (1922 – 2008) & born 1949 NGALYOD, RAINBOW SERPENT, 2004 natural earth pigments with PVC fixative on stringybark (Eucalyptus tetradonta) 214.0 x 76.0 cm (irregular) bears inscription on label verso: artists’ names, title, medium, size and Maningrida Arts and Culture cat. 1241-04 PROVENANCE Maningrida Arts and Culture, Maningrida, Northern Territory (label attached verso) Collection of James Smeaton, Melbourne, acquired from the above This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Maningrida Arts and Culture which states in part: ’The rainbow serpent is a powerful mythological figure for all Aboriginal people throughout Australia. Characteristics of the rainbow serpent vary greatly from group to group and also depending on the site. Often viewed as a female generative figure, the rainbow serpent can sometimes also be male. She has both powers of creation and destruction and is most strongly associated with rain, monsoon seasons and of course the colour seen in rainbows which arc across the sky like a giant serpent. For Aboriginal people in Northern Australia, the rainbow serpent is said to be active during the wet season. Known as Ngalyod in the Kuninjku language of western central Arnhem Land, the rainbow serpent is mostly associated with bodies of water such as billabongs, creeks, rivers and waterfalls where she resides. Therefore she is responsible for the production of most water plants such as water lilies, water vines, algae and palms, which grow near water. The roar of waterfalls in the escarpment country is said to be her voice. Large holes in stony banks of rivers and cliff faces are said to be her tracks. She is held in awe because of her apparent ability to renew her life by shedding her skin and emerging anew. Aboriginal myths about the rainbow serpent often describe her as a fearful creature that swallows humans only to regurgitate them, transformed by her blood. The white ochre used by artists to create the brilliant white paint for bark paintings, body decoration and in the past, rock art, is said to be the faeces of the rainbow serpent. Aboriginal people today respect and care take sacred sites where the rainbow serpent is said to reside. Often certain activities are forbidden at these places for fear that the wrath of the great snake will cause sickness, accidents and even tempests. This is not always the case however and there are many rainbow serpent sites today where people may enter to hunt, fish or swim.’ This work is located in our Melbourne Gallery This work is in very good, stable and near original condition. There two vertical hairline surface cracks of 8 cm and 6 cm running up from the bottom edge and a very minor hairline crack of 4cm running though the nose of the Rainbow Serpent at the top right. These are barely discernible, inherent to the nature of materials and bark support and are not visually distracting.
Deutscher and Hackett
Dec. 03, 2019
Mick Kubaku (1925-2008) Short-necked Turtoise
Est: $2,500 - $3,500
Certificate on the reverse reads "This is Ngarrd, the short necked tortoise, which has a special song and dance performed for it in fresh water ceremonies (Bunguls) regularly performed in the Maningrida area to ensure a continuation of food for the Yolngu people."
Cooee Art
Sep. 17, 2019
Mick Kubaku (c 1925 - 2008) 'Moon Dreaming - Dird'
Est: $500 - $700
2002, natural ochres on paper, framed but believed to contain artists name verso, comes with certificate of authenticity from the Hogarth galleries, 58 cm x 38 cm
Bargain Hunt Auctions
Aug. 11, 2019
An Aboriginal Bark Painting, Snake Dreaming, Mick Kubaku, (1925-2008), Arnhem Land,
Est: $200 - $400
An Aboriginal Bark Painting, Snake Dreaming, Mick Kubaku, (1925-2008), Arnhem Land, remnant original paper label verso: work collected by Dorothy Bennett 53 x 25 cm (irregular)
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Nov. 27, 2018
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Yawk Yawk 2003 natural pigments on bark
Est: $1,600 - $3,000
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Yawk Yawk 2003 natural pigments on bark inscribed verso with artist's name and Maningrida Arts and Culture cat. number 907/0003 120 x 40 cm PROVENANCE: Maningrida Arts and Culture, NT Private collection, Melbourne
Leonard Joel
Jul. 30, 2018
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Yawk Yawk 2003 natural pigments on bark
Est: $2,600 - $4,400
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Yawk Yawk 2003 natural pigments on bark inscribed verso with artist's name and Maningrida Arts and Culture cat. number 907/0003 120 x 40 cm PROVENANCE: Maningrida Arts and Culture, NT Private collection, Melbourne
Leonard Joel
Feb. 08, 2018
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Namorrorddo 2000 natural earth pigments on bark
Est: $800 - $1,200
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Namorrorddo 2000 natural earth pigments on bark certificate of authenticity from Maningrida Arts and Culture attached verso artist name and cat. no. A6380 inscribed verso 150 x 55cm PROVENANCE: Private collection, South Australia
Leonard Joel
Feb. 01, 2018
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Namorrorddo 2000 natural earth pigments on bark
Est: $1,100 - $1,800
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Namorrorddo 2000 natural earth pigments on bark certificate of authenticity from Maningrida Arts and Culture attached verso artist name and cat. no. A6380 inscribed verso 150 x 55cm PROVENANCE: Private collection, South Australia
Leonard Joel
Jan. 25, 2018
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Namorrorddo 2000 natural earth pigments on bark
Est: $1,600 - $2,600
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Namorrorddo 2000 natural earth pigments on bark certificate of authenticity from Maningrida Arts and Culture attached verso artist name and cat. no. A6380 inscribed verso 150 x 55cm PROVENANCE: Private collection, South Australia
Leonard Joel
Jan. 18, 2018
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Namorrorddo 2000 natural earth pigments on bark
Est: $2,200 - $3,200
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Namorrorddo 2000 natural earth pigments on bark certificate of authenticity from Maningrida Arts and Culture attached verso artist name and cat. no. A6380 inscribed verso 150 x 55cm PROVENANCE: Private collection, South Australia
Leonard Joel
Dec. 14, 2017
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Namorrorddo 2000 natural earth pigments on bark
Est: $3,200 - $4,500
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Namorrorddo 2000 natural earth pigments on bark certificate of authenticity from Maningrida Arts and Culture attached verso artist name and cat. no. A6380 inscribed verso 150 x 55cm PROVENANCE: Private collection, South Australia
Leonard Joel
Sep. 05, 2017
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Namorrorddo 2000 natural earth pigments on bark
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
MICK KUBAKU (1915-2008) Namorrorddo 2000 natural earth pigments on bark certificate of authenticity from Maningrida Arts and Culture attached verso artist name and cat. no. A6380 inscribed verso 150 x 55cm PROVENANCE: Private collection, South Australia
Leonard Joel
Jun. 12, 2012
MICK KUBAKU (1925-2008), MIMI SPIRITS, Certificate
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
MICK KUBAKU (1925-2008), MIMI SPIRITS, Certificate verso Maningrida Arts and Crafts, catalogue number GUB15, Ochre on bark, , 83 x 54cm (irregular)
GFL Fine Art