Peter Marralwanga Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Peter Marralwanga Art Value Price Guide

Jun. 20, 2023
Peter Marralwanga - Frogs, 1977
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Peter Marralwanga resided for most of his life at the remote outstation of Marrkolidjban, in Western Arnhem Land. Although he moved to the nearby government settlement at Maningrida to lobby for formal recognition of his outstation in the 1960s, he soon returned to country, driven by a dislike of the effect that mining companies were having on Kunwinjku lands. David Yirawala shared Maralwanga’s desire for an outstation at Marrkolidjban as his clan lands lay in the surrounding country. The two forged a close friendship and it was under Yirawala’s tutelage that, around 1970, Maralwanga began to transfer his great ceremonial knowledge onto barks that were sold for an income that proved vital for the economic viability of their outstation. Naturally, Marralwanga was greatly influenced by Yirawala, particularly in the use of cross-hatching or rarrk in-fill, derived from the designs of the Mardayin ceremony. Maralwanga was innovative with his rarrk techniques and empowered many of the next generation of artists, such as John Mawurndjul and his own sons Ivan Namirrkki and Samuel Namunjdja, to continue experimentation and invention in their works. However, Maralwanga differed from these younger artists, particularly Mawurndjul, who allowed rarrk designs to drive his work into pure abstraction. In contrast, Marralwanga’s compositions always centred upon the figurative, to which the rarrk designs remained subservient, while altering the formal convention of the rarrk’s colour sequencing and orientation in order to illuminate, to its utmost, the flow and movement of the figure.
Cooee Art
Sep. 06, 2022
PETER MARRALWANGA (Australian Aboriginal 1916-1987), untitled (Crocodile), natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, 102 x 50 cm.
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
PETER MARRALWANGA (Australian Aboriginal 1916-1987), untitled (Crocodile), natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, 102 x 50 cm.
Raffan Kelaher & Thomas
Jun. 08, 2021
Peter Marralwanga - untitled, c.1950
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
Cooee Art Indigenous Fine Art Auction "Peter Marralwanga resided for most of his life at the remote outstation of Marrkolidjban in Western Arnhem Land, forging a close friendship with the great bark painter David Yirawala. It was under Yirawala+IBk-s tutelage that, around 1970, Marralwanga began to transfer his great ceremonial knowledge onto barks that were sold for an income that proved vital for the economic viability of their outstation. Marralwanga was greatly influenced by Yirawala, particularly in the use of cross-hatching or rarrk in-fill derived from the designs of the Mardayin ceremony. Marralwanga was innovative with his rarrk techniques and empowered many of the next generation of artists, such as John Mawurndjul and his own sons Ivan Namirrkki and Samuel Namunjdja to continue experimentation and invention in their works. However, Marralwanga differed from these younger artists in that his compositions always centred upon the figurative, to which the rarrk designs remained subservient while altering the formal convention of the rarrk+IBk-s colour sequencing and orientation in order to illuminate, to its utmost, the flow and movement of the figure. Marralwanga+IBk-s scope of subjects was diverse and revealed a profound and deeply spiritual knowledge. He was a truly great painter who lived and died before Aboriginal art gained its current national and International prominence. In 1981 and 1983, he had solo exhibitions with Mary Macha at Aboriginal Traditional Arts in Perth. He was second only in recognition to his lifelong friend and countryman Yirawala as the most influential Kunwinjku artists of their generation. +IBw Contact Cooee Art for more information on this Aboriginal artwork.
Cooee Art
Dec. 03, 2019
Peter Marralwanga (1916-1987) Kolobarr the Kangaroo
Est: $12,000 - $15,000
Peter Marralwanga, was a student of David Yirawala (1903-1976), and in turn influenced a whole generation of Kuninjku artists, including John Mawurndjul. Marralwanga pioneered the Western Arnhem Land style of painting with its plain unadorned background, X-ray view of the internal organs, and varied cross-hatched clan patterns (rarrk) to create new and eye-catching effects. This work is a perfect example of the technique. The bark is dominated by the large shape of a plains kangaroo in an eye catching pose. Two dancing mimi spirits appear as part of a ceremony. They were the original inhabitants of Western Arnhem Land, taught hunting and fishing skills and gave power totems to Marralwanga's forbears. Cf. For a painting of a large scale subject set against a background of blocks of colour, see Ngalyod and Yawkyawk, 1983, in the Holmes a' Court Collection, illustrated in Perkins, H. (ed), Crossing Country: The Alchemy of Western Arnhem Land Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 2004, p. 63.
Cooee Art
Nov. 21, 2019
Peter Marralwanga (1916 - 1987) - Karruken (Female Kangaroo of the Dreamtime) 29 x 64.5cm
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Peter Marralwanga (1916 - 1987) Karruken (Female Kangaroo of the Dreamtime) natural earth pigments on bark 29 x 64.5cm certificate of authenticity
Lawsons
Aug. 08, 2019
Peter Marralwanga (1916 - 1987) - Karruken (Female Kangaroo of the Dreamtime) 29 x 64.5cm
Est: $1,500 - $2,000
Peter Marralwanga (1916 - 1987) Karruken (Female Kangaroo of the Dreamtime) natural earth pigments on bark 29 x 64.5cm certificate of authenticity
Lawsons
Jun. 04, 2019
Â Peter Marralwanga (1916-1987) Frogs 1977
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Peter Marralwanga resided for most of his life at the remote outstation of Marrkolidjban, in Western Arnhem Land. Although he moved to the nearby government settlement at Maningrida to lobby for formal recognition of his outstation in the 1960s, he soon returned to country, driven by a dislike of the effect that mining companies were having on Kunwinjku lands. David Yirawala shared Maralwangaâs desire for an outstation at Marrkolidjban as his clan lands lay in the surrounding country. The two forged a close friendship and it was under Yirawalaâs tutelage that, around 1970, Maralwanga began to transfer his great ceremonial knowledge onto barks that were sold for an income that proved vital for the economic viability of their outstation. Naturally, Marralwanga was greatly influenced by Yirawala, particularly in the use of cross-hatching or rarrk in-fill, derived from the designs of the Mardayin ceremony. Maralwanga was innovative with his rarrk techniques and empowered many of the next generation of artists, such as John Mawurndjul and his own sons Ivan Namirrkki and Samuel Namunjdja, to continue experimentation and invention in their works. However, Maralwanga differed from these younger artists, particularly Mawurndjul, who allows rarrk designs to drive his work into pure abstraction. In contrast, Marralwangaâs compositions always centred upon the figurative, to which the rarrk designs remained subservient, while altering the formal convention of the rarrkâs colour sequencing and orientation in order to illuminate, to its utmost, the flow and movement of the figure.
Cooee Art
May. 21, 2019
PETER MARRALWANGA, (1916 – 1987), SALT WATER CROCODILE AND MIMIH, c.1978/79, natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
PETER MARRALWANGA (1916 – 1987) SALT WATER CROCODILE AND MIMIH, c.1978 - 79 natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark SIGNED: bears inscription verso: artist’s name and Maningrida Arts cat. 328/NWI (indistinct) DIMENSIONS: 134.0 x 70.0 cm PROVENANCE: Maningrida Arts and Culture, Maningrida, Northern Territory Aboriginal Arts and Crafts, Sydney The Collectors Gallery of Aboriginal Art, Sydney Private collection, Sydney, acquired from the above in 1978 ESSAY: This work is accompanied by documentation from Maningrida Arts that states in part: ‘The artist is one of the best bark painters in the traditional style. No other artist has the right to paint in the same unique way. In this painting he has depicted his ‘Dreaming’ Crocodile being attacked by a Mimi Spirit. Although Mimis are tiny match-thin creatures who live in the rocky escarpments, they are credited with enormous power and skill in hunting and fishing and have been known to kill large kangaroos and crocodiles.’
Deutscher and Hackett
Dec. 02, 2015
PETER MARRALWANGA (1916 – 1987) - AND IVAN NAMIRRKI born 1961, , KANGAROO HUNT, 1981, natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
PETER MARRALWANGA (1916 – 1987) AND IVAN NAMIRRKI born 1961, , KANGAROO HUNT, 1981, natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark SIGNED: inscribed verso: artist’s name and Manungrida Arts cat: M273/SRRR and code numbers MA/03/DHN/I and MUAII DIMENSIONS: 132.0 x 63.5 cm EXHIBITED: Djakku, An exhibition of paintings by Djakku (Peter Marralwanga), Aboriginal Traditional Arts, Perth, 29 October 1981 to 13 December 1981 in conjunction with Maningrida Arts and Crafts PROVENANCE: Painted in the Maningrida region of Western Arnhem Land Maningrida Arts and Crafts, Maningrida, Western Arnhem Land Aboriginal Traditional Arts, Perth Mary Macha, Perth Private collection, Sydney, acquired from the above in 1996
Deutscher and Hackett
Jun. 22, 2014
MARRALWANGA, Peter (1917-1987)
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
MARRALWANGA, Peter (1917-1987) Untitled (Wallaby). Artist's name verso. Natural Earth Pigments on Bark 122x56cm
Davidson Auctions
May. 28, 2012
Peter Marralwanga (1917-1987)
Est: £4,000 - £6,000
Saltwater Crocodile bears artist's name, tribe, location and title on the reverse of a backing board as well as artist's name, tribe, title and description on Gallery of Dreams Aboriginal Arts Agency label on the reverse of a backing board natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark 112 x 47cm
Bonhams
Mar. 15, 2011
Peter Marralwanga, Australian 1916-1987- "Mimi &
Est: £800 - £1,200
Peter Marralwanga, Australian 1916-1987- "Mimi & Yippa - Frog"; ochre pigments on stringybark (Eucalyptus tetradonta), 97.5x29cm Provenance: Maningrida Art & Crafts, catalogue no.: Marw 13, according to label attached to the reverse. Bought from Hogarth Galleries, Sydney, 1986.
Roseberys
Jul. 27, 2010
Peter Marralwanga, 1916-1987, MIMIH SPIRIT,
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Peter Marralwanga, 1916-1987, MIMIH SPIRIT, natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, 53 BY 17CM, Provenance: Painted in Western Arnhem Land circa 1975 Private collection
Smith & Singer
Jul. 26, 2010
Peter Marralwanga, 1916-1987, YAWK YAWK STORY - LUMA LUMA AND FROG DREAMING
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
Peter Marralwanga, 1916-1987, YAWK YAWK STORY - LUMA LUMA AND FROG DREAMING natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark bears artist's name 'Marralwonga' (sic) on reverse 116 BY 71CM Provenance: Painted in Western Arnhem Land in 1975 Maningrida Arts and Craft, Maningrida Private collection
Smith & Singer
Jul. 26, 2010
Peter Marralwanga, 1916-1987, YAWK YAWK SPIRIT FIGURE
Est: $7,000 - $10,000
Peter Marralwanga, 1916-1987, YAWK YAWK SPIRIT FIGURE natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark bears artist's name, language group, location and the number D386/OA? on the reverse 102 BY 47. 5CM Provenance: Painted circa 1980 Maningrida Arts and Craft, Northern Territory Private collectionCf. Peter C
Smith & Singer
Jul. 26, 2010
Peter Marralwanga, 1916-1987, NAMARRKON, LIGHTNING SPIRIT
Est: $5,000 - $8,000
Peter Marralwanga, 1916-1987, NAMARRKON, LIGHTNING SPIRIT natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark bears artist's name on the reverse 70. 5 BY 40CM Provenance: Painted at Oenpelli (Gunbalanya), Western Arnhem Land in 1972 Church Missionary Society, Oenpelli Dr Alan G. Solem, Chicago; thence by descent
Smith & Singer
Nov. 22, 2006
PETER MARRALWANGA (1916 - 1987) - Echidna, circa 1979
Est: $3,500 - $4,000
PETER MARRALWANGA (1916 - 1987) Echidna, circa 1979 natural earth pigments on bark 57 x 49 cm Provenance: Maningrida Arts & Crafts Private Collection, NSW
Lawsons
Nov. 22, 2006
PETER MARRALWANGA (1916 - 1987) - Lorrkon, Hollow Log Coffin, circa 1977
Est: $3,000 - $4,000
PETER MARRALWANGA (1916 - 1987) Lorrkon, Hollow Log Coffin, circa 1977 natural earth pigments on wood Height: 103 cm Provenance: Aboriginal Arts & Crafts Myers exhibition, 1978 Private collection, NSW
Lawsons
Jul. 25, 2005
PETER MARRALWANGA CIRCA 1916-1987 UNTITLED (SALT WATER CROCODILE)
Est: $8,000 - $12,000
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark Provenance
Sotheby's
Jul. 25, 2005
PETER MARRALWANGA CIRCA 1916-1987 MIMIH SPIRIT DANCING AT CATFISH CEREMONY 1979
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark Provenance
Sotheby's
Jul. 26, 2004
PETER MARRALWANGA CIRCA 1916-1987 NARBALEK ROCK WALLABY C.1987 93 by 42.5 cm Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark Bears artist's name language group, Kuninjku, and title on the reverse Provenance: Painted at Marrkolidban Outstation for
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
PETER MARRALWANGA CIRCA 1916-1987 NARBALEK ROCK WALLABY C.1987 93 by 42.5 cm Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark Bears artist's name language group, Kuninjku, and title on the reverse Provenance: Painted at Marrkolidban Outstation for Maningrida Arts and Crafts, catalogue number MARW11 Private collection, Western Australia
Sotheby's