Lot 49: Eubena Nampitjin born circa 1920 MILLAGUDOO IN THE GREAT SANDY DESERT synthetic polymer paint on canvas

bears artist's name, size and Warlayirti Artists catalogue number 466/95 on the reverse synthetic polymer paint on canvas

181 by 120cm

James Cowan, Balgo: New Directions, Sydney: Craftsman House, 1999, p.38-39, painting 4, illus.

Painted at Wirrimanu (Balgo Hills) in 1995
Warlayirti Artists, Balgo Hills
The Thompson Marecaux Collection of Balgo Paintings

Cf. For a painting on a similar scale depicting an expansive view of the artist's country see Wiritji Rockhole, 1998, winner of the Telstra Open Painting Award at the 15th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, 1998, in M. West , Transitions: 17 Years of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Darwin: Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, 2000, p.99, pl.62, illus.

This painting is sold with an accompanying certificate from Warlayirti Artists with an annotated diagram and a description of the story depicted that reads: 'Eubena is one of the true desert people as she was born in the desert and wandered with her family as they lived the hunter gatherer lifestyle. She was told many stories and myths from the "Tjukurrpa" (Dreamtime) and in this painting she has shown her country with its hills and creeks. Bush tucker is also depicted, as well as an important rockhole. She has shown the Wati Kutjara, Two Men or Goanna Men who created the landscape at the time of the Dreaming. They are seen approaching a waterhole where men are sitting around singing the songs. Flood plains, country, people, songs - all intermingle in this remarkable painting'.