Namarden and Ngalmarden, the male and female lightning spirits
1987
Medium
earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus sp.)
Measurements
105.0 × 38.0 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, NGV Supporters and Patrons of Indigenous Art, 2006
© Wally Mandarrk /Licensed by Copyright Agency, Australia
Gallery location
Gallery 2
Ground Level, NGV Australia
About this work
Namarden, the male lightning spirit responsible for causing the destructive, pre–wet season electrical storms of kunemeleng, looms large in this painting. His cousin Ngalmarden, the female lightning spirit, located to the right, is more diminutive. The black circles, which signify power and may be unleashed at any time, are connected to the elbow and genitals of the male figure, alluding to the sexual connotations of thunder and lightning. Artist Wally Mandarrk was believed to have been in close contact with Mimih spirits in the escarpment country around Maningrida, where he painted on rock before making the transition to stringybark.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Yaymini, Northern Territory
Accession Number
2006.338
Department
First Nations Australia
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation