Artist: Larry Bangarr | Title: Mimih Spirit | Year: 2021 | Medium: natural earth pigments on bark | Dimensions: 53 x 11 cm)
PROVENANCE
Injalak Arts & Crafts Association, Oenpelli NT, Cat No. 2036-21
ARTWORK STORY
The people of western Arnhem Land believe that Mimi spirits live in a social organization similar to Aboriginal people and that Mimi society existed before humans. Mimi are credited with instructing the first people with knowledge relating to survival in the rocky environment of the Arnhem Land plateau. Mimi are said to have taught the first humans how to hunt and butcher game and also how to dance, sing and paint.
Mimi are terribly thin, having necks so slender that a stiff breeze would be fatal. For this reason they emerge only on windless days and nights to hunt. As soon as a breeze develops, the Mimi are said to run back to their rocky caverns and disappear inside.
Artist Profile
COMMUNITY/REGION
Oenpelli, Western Arnhem Land NT
LANGUAGE
Kunwunjku
BIOGRAPHY
Born on November 25, 1973, in the community of Oenpelli (now known as Gunbalanya) in Arnhem Land, Larry Bangarr is an artist from the Marrirrin clan whose country is at Kurrukurr and Kumarrirnbang.
Bangarr's artwork is deeply connected to the natural environment of his homeland. He is recognised for his detailed depictions of birdlife and for illustrating ancestral stories such as "Turtle and Echidna" and "The Moon Man." His subjects often include native animals like the file snake (Kedjebe), barramundi (Namarnkol), ibis (Birndu), black bream (Dunbuhmanj), and goanna (Kalawan). He also portrays cultural figures such as Mimi spirits, Yawk Yawk (water mermaids), and the Rainbow Serpent (Ngalyod), as well as themes like the nailfish (Namarrdakka), echidna, goanna with eggs, traditional tools like the spear thrower (Borndok), jabiru, blue-tongue lizard, and magpie goose (Manimunuk).
A notable highlight of Bangarr's career is a large commissioned painting displayed in the foyer of Darwin Airport, which greets visitors to the region and showcases his contribution to the local art scene. In April 1998, he participated in the "Dreamings" group exhibition at Spazio Pitti Arte in Florence, Italy, bringing his work to an international audience.
REFERENCES
Injalak Arts. "Larry Bangarr." Injalak Arts. Accessed October 20, 2024.
PROVENANCE
Injalak Arts & Crafts Association, Oenpelli NT, Cat No. 2036-21
ARTWORK STORY
The people of western Arnhem Land believe that Mimi spirits live in a social organization similar to Aboriginal people and that Mimi society existed before humans. Mimi are credited with instructing the first people with knowledge relating to survival in the rocky environment of the Arnhem Land plateau. Mimi are said to have taught the first humans how to hunt and butcher game and also how to dance, sing and paint.
Mimi are terribly thin, having necks so slender that a stiff breeze would be fatal. For this reason they emerge only on windless days and nights to hunt. As soon as a breeze develops, the Mimi are said to run back to their rocky caverns and disappear inside.
Artist Profile
COMMUNITY/REGION
Oenpelli, Western Arnhem Land NT
LANGUAGE
Kunwunjku
BIOGRAPHY
Born on November 25, 1973, in the community of Oenpelli (now known as Gunbalanya) in Arnhem Land, Larry Bangarr is an artist from the Marrirrin clan whose country is at Kurrukurr and Kumarrirnbang.
Bangarr's artwork is deeply connected to the natural environment of his homeland. He is recognised for his detailed depictions of birdlife and for illustrating ancestral stories such as "Turtle and Echidna" and "The Moon Man." His subjects often include native animals like the file snake (Kedjebe), barramundi (Namarnkol), ibis (Birndu), black bream (Dunbuhmanj), and goanna (Kalawan). He also portrays cultural figures such as Mimi spirits, Yawk Yawk (water mermaids), and the Rainbow Serpent (Ngalyod), as well as themes like the nailfish (Namarrdakka), echidna, goanna with eggs, traditional tools like the spear thrower (Borndok), jabiru, blue-tongue lizard, and magpie goose (Manimunuk).
A notable highlight of Bangarr's career is a large commissioned painting displayed in the foyer of Darwin Airport, which greets visitors to the region and showcases his contribution to the local art scene. In April 1998, he participated in the "Dreamings" group exhibition at Spazio Pitti Arte in Florence, Italy, bringing his work to an international audience.
REFERENCES
Injalak Arts. "Larry Bangarr." Injalak Arts. Accessed October 20, 2024.