Australian Aboriginal Art Bobby Barrdjaray Nganjmirra Painting Rainbow Serpant

This piece is from the famed Kelton Foundation Collection of important Australian Indigenous Works of Art.

This work is from the private collection of Alex Barlow, Research Officer, Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies Avant Galleries, Melbourne, VIC; acquired in 1994; The Kelton Foundation, Santa Monica. Exhibited: ‘The Evolving Dreamtime: Contemporary Art by Indigenous Australians-Part II’, Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, CA, 15 March – 21 May 1995.

Provenance:
Wadeye Art & Craft, OLSH School, Port Keats. Acquired from Ethnic Arts, Berkeley, CA.

Bobby Barrdjaray Nganjmirra was a Kunwinjku Aboriginal artist of the Djalama clan and Yirridjdja moiety. He was born around 1915 at Malworn in West Arnhem Land, growing up primarily in a traditional lifestyle despite short periods spent at school in Gunbalanya and on Goulburn Island. He is among the best known of the older generation of Kunwinjku bark painters and artists, which includes Bardayal “Lofty” Nadjamerrek, Yirawala and Dick Nguleingulei Murrumurru. The Nganjmirra family has preserved a strong and recognizable figurative style throughout successive generations. His younger brothers Jimmy Nakkurridjdjilmi Nganjmirra (c.1917-1982) and Peter Nganjmirra (1927-1987) were also well-known painters, and many of their children and grandchildren have established artistic careers.

Bobby Barrdjaray Nganjmirra’s works are held in many prominent collections and museums worldwide (Australia, Japan, USA). Some include:

Aboriginal Arts Board of the Australia Council, held by the National Museum of Canberra.; Artbank, Sydney.; Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney.; Australian Museum, Sydney.; Berndt Museum of Anthropology, University of Western Australia.; Campbelltown City Art Gallery, NSW.; Desert Rose Restaurant, Yulara Complex, Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park.; Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.; Museum of Contemporary Art, Arnotts Collection, Sydney.; National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.; National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.; Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane.; The Holmes a Court Collection, Perth.; The Kelton Foundation, Santa Monica, U.S.A.

Truly a striking and original work. Quite heavy. Would be a great addition to any Australian Aboriginal or tribal art/artifacts collection or an eye-catching stand-alone accent piece in about any setting. A true statement piece.

Approximate dimensions: 32.25″ high, 40.5″ wide

Custom wood display/protective travel crate: 39.25″ high, 46.5″ wide, 4.75″ deep.