DAVID MALANGI (Australian, 1927 - 1999). The Hunter Myth, circa 1960, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia, 1999 Bark painting dyed with natural inks Description: One of the most important parts of the Mahrrangun Mortuary Rites Ceremony is concerned with the telling of the story of Gurrumirringu, the mighty hunter who was killed by a poisonous snake. An Evil Tree settled itself beside a wide billabong and enticed a poisonous brown snake to live beneath its roots. The Tree hated Gurrumirringu, and one day, when Gurrumirringu stopped to rest and eat beneath the tree, the evil spirit encouraged the snake to slide across to the hunter and bite him. Gurrumirringu died immediately. This painting depicts the Tree Spirit. Acquired in 1984 at "Aboriginal and Pacific Art Gallery" (Victoria Australia).
ARTIST PROFILE: David Malangi was an Indigenous Australian Yolngu artist from the Northern Territory. He was one of the most well known bark painters from Arnhem Land and a significant figure in contemporary Indigenous Australian art. He was born at Mulanga, on the east bank of the Glyde River. - 31 h x 19 w x 7 d inch Estimate $1,000-1,400
