작품 상세

Cooee Art Indigenous Fine Art Auction "Born in Western Arnhem Land in 1951, Robyn was the most talented painter among the sons of the great bark painter Bobby Barrdjaray Nganjmirra. Robyn learned to paint at the feet of such Kunwinjku luminaries as Lofty Bardayal Nadjamerrek, Yirawala, and Dick Nguleingulei Murrumurru. Though his paintings were collected by major institutions, including nine works in the National Gallery of Australia's collection, Robin died at a young age, just before being able to fully profit from the burgeoning Indigenous art market. In this finely wrought work, the artist depicted Karurrken, the female kangaroo who is the lead caller and dancer of the sacred Ubar ceremony. Also depicted is Karrurken's husband Kolobbarr, who is in charge of a camp far away from the main ceremonial ground. Kolobbarr was told to hunt for food for all the performers, and that he and his helpers were to cook and look after the young initiates waiting for their call to join in the latter part of the ceremony. In the long and complex Ubar narrative, Kolobbarr was given the unenviable task of telling his wife that her voice was not strong enough to make the loud ritual calls, and that her helpers were not satisfactory as dancers and singers, so henceforth men would take over and the women would be relegated to cooking and looking after the young initiates. Though he tried to have his wife included in some of the dancing and singing, he was overruled. To this day, no women performers are included. Karurrken, whilst upset at this transfer of power to the men, consoled herself and her helpers with their one power which men could not usurp - the gift of bearing children. She also taught the women several song and dance cycles, which they could perform in their own camp." Contact Cooee Art for more information on this Aboriginal artwork.