PROVENANCE
Narrangunny Art, WA Cat No N-0238-LK
Private Collection, WA
It is said that the Wandjina spirit figure is the embodiment of the rain spirit and ancestor of the Wunambal, Ngarinyin and Worrora peoples of the north west Kimberley region of Western Australia, where ancient artisans reproduced their images in the caves and on rock formations of the plateau areas along the coast and hinterland. They are always pictured, in ochres and clays, from a frontal aspect, with no mouths, and large black eyes and a slit or beak-like nose.
The icons are usually depicted in a veil of dots representing the blood and water mix of man and animal. Gnarrangkani, (Dreamtime) mythology suggests that the Wandjina emerged from the rain clouds, and will return skyward in that manner, whilst other versions imply that Dumbi, the Owl, is the model. Here, the icon has gwions (little people) and bush tucker.
