Item X 104762 Carving. Gupapuyngu, Gupapuyngu Daygurrgurr. Milingimbi, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. 2011

Summary

Limurru Wakiyun Gumbarrgu Ga Baladji ("we are going hunting for emu and yams") is one part of a series of four carvings by Gupapuyngu artist Alfred Walpuy at Milingimbi exhibited in an exhibition in Melbourne at Mossenson Galleries. These contemporary carvings represent the continuance and dynamism of artistic and cultural practices in central Arnhem Land. Walpuy is a son of the famous bark painter, the late Djawa Dhawirringu, who has works in the museum's collections from the 1950s.

This work is a composite sculpture representing an emu that is part of a sculptural piece with the hunter who is in search of emus and yams. The hunter that forms part of this sculpture is registered as X104761.

Physical Description

A composite carving of an emu made from wood and plant fibre. The bird is depicted in stepping motion. It is painted with natural pigments. The head and legs are exposed painted wood, while the neck and body of the bird are covered with painted (black, flecked) plant fibres depicting feathers. The whole sculpture is attached to a wood base.