Lorrkon Hollow Log, 2009

natural earth pigments on hollow log

225 x 16.5 cm

Est. $2,000 – $3,000

Hammer $1,700

Provenance: Maningrida Arts & Culture, Maningrida, NT, Cat No. 1175-09 Private Collection, NSW Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Maningrida Arts & Culture
Artwork story: Timothy Wulanjbirr is the son of Crusoe Kuningbal, the artist who developed the mimih spirit in sculptural form at Barrihdjowkkeng, and the brother of Owen Yalandja and Crusoe Kurddal. Where his brothers are known for their yawkyawk and mimih carvings, Wulanjbirr has made bark painting and the Lorrkon his primary form — one of a group of younger artists influenced by John Mawurndjul in their application of rarrk, the sacred crosshatching that covers the full height of this pole in precise geometric designs. The Lorrkon is the final ceremony in a sequence of mortuary rituals. It may begin many years after death and stretch over two weeks, conducted across two camps — the men's and the women's — each with their distinct ceremonial roles. On the last night the bones of the deceased, painted with red ochre, are placed inside the hollow log. At first light the men emerge carrying the pole toward the women's camp, the two groups calling to each other across the ceremonial ground. Women in particular kinship relationships to the deceased dance around the pole when it is stood upright. It is then left in the ground, the painted clan designs returning to country as the wood slowly decays. Wulanjbirr's work is held by the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, and the Art Gallery of South Australia.

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Sale 3 · Lot 83

Timothy Wulanjbirr

b. 1969

Region: Arnhem Land
Community: Barrihdjowkkeng
Language group: Kuninjku

Lorrkon Hollow Log, 2009

natural earth pigments on hollow log

225 x 16.5 cm

Est. $2,000 – $3,000

Hammer $1,700

Provenance: Maningrida Arts & Culture, Maningrida, NT, Cat No. 1175-09 Private Collection, NSW Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Maningrida Arts & Culture
Artwork story: Timothy Wulanjbirr is the son of Crusoe Kuningbal, the artist who developed the mimih spirit in sculptural form at Barrihdjowkkeng, and the brother of Owen Yalandja and Crusoe Kurddal. Where his brothers are known for their yawkyawk and mimih carvings, Wulanjbirr has made bark painting and the Lorrkon his primary form — one of a group of younger artists influenced by John Mawurndjul in their application of rarrk, the sacred crosshatching that covers the full height of this pole in precise geometric designs. The Lorrkon is the final ceremony in a sequence of mortuary rituals. It may begin many years after death and stretch over two weeks, conducted across two camps — the men's and the women's — each with their distinct ceremonial roles. On the last night the bones of the deceased, painted with red ochre, are placed inside the hollow log. At first light the men emerge carrying the pole toward the women's camp, the two groups calling to each other across the ceremonial ground. Women in particular kinship relationships to the deceased dance around the pole when it is stood upright. It is then left in the ground, the painted clan designs returning to country as the wood slowly decays. Wulanjbirr's work is held by the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, and the Art Gallery of South Australia.