Namarnday spirits
(early 1960s)
Medium
earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus sp.)
Measurements
85.7 × 44.4 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gerstl Bequest, 2000
© Paddy Compass Namadbara/Copyright Agency, 2024
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
Namarnday spirits are malignant or profane spirits of the human dead, associated with love magic and acts of sorcery used as a punishment for sexual misconduct. The male and female spirits are particularly animated and have prominent genitalia common to sorcery paintings found on cave walls. One painting represents male and female spirits in an erotic rather than malevolent act. The other shows male Namarnday with limbs and genitals abnormally long and twisted, symbolic of evil or retributive intent.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Minjilang, Croker Island, Northern Territory
Accession Number
2000.224
Department
First Nations Australia
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation