Lot 91: JARINYANU DAVID DOWNS CIRCA 1925-1995

YAPURNU COUNTRY C.1983

MEASUREMENTS

91 by 61 cm

Natural earth pigments and synthetic binder on canvasboard

PROVENANCE
Purchased in 1983 from Steve Hawke Niagara Galleries, Melbourne Private collection, Melbourne Exhibition Blue Chip III, The Collectors Exhibition, Niagara Galleries, Melbourne, 27 February - 31 March 2001, catalogue No. 16, Cf. Sotheby's Important Aboriginal Art, 28th June 1999, lot 211 for another painting by the artists executed in 1990 depicting the Yapurnu story-cycle with specific reference to the Dreamtime activities of Jakarra This image is a depiction of Yapurnu country, south of Balgo, showing a complex of inter-linked salt-pans, some of which are edged with a meandering white shore-line of crystals like mica. At the same time, this looming figure represents old man Yapurnu, boss for this country, loosely displaying great strands of long grass tied into his hair and plastered with mud. When boys have reached manhood they are painted and dressed up in a manner similar to this representation Each initiate holds long poles in each hand, tied with foliage at intervals, representing the salt-pan lakes. The diagonal marking across this figure indicates the Jangkarti skin-group, which is also that of Jarinyanu, the painter Sotheby's would like to thank Duncan Kentish for assistance with this catalogue entry