Artist unknown Two Barramundi X-ray painting

Artist:        Unknown
Title:         Two barramundi
Collected:  early 70s
Location:   Oenpelli:  West Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
Size          75cm x 48cm

The large freshwater barramundi or Namarnkol abounds in the waters of the Alligator and Liverpool Rivers and numerous examples are painted on rock art friezes near Oenpelli.  The barramundi are an significant  food source in the Aboriginal’s diet and an important mythological link to the Dreamtime.   Spirit power and everday items are essentially interlinked.    It is believed that the barramundi created the plunging gorges along which the Alligator River flows through the sandstone country. 
It is interesting to note as is found in much Western Arnhem Land bark painting the artist has painted what is often described as x-ray art or some of the internal organs and back bone of the fish as well as the rarrk or ceremonial crosshatching.  The x-ray elements have merged to form a bold overall pattern. 

$2,200 AUD