Shield, 2001

synthetic polymer paint on wood

67 x 19cm

$850

Provenance: Warlukurlangu Artists, Yuendumu, NT Cooee Aboriginal Art Gallery, NSW
Artwork story: In central Australia, softwood shields with fluted surfaces provided protection in times of conflict. These shields are another example of a multipurpose implement. The hollowed-out handle formed a cavity or small bowl in which ochres could be prepared, the convex surface could be used for lighting fires by the sawing method, and when painted with the appropriate designs the shield was transformed into an important ritual object.