Earth & Elsewhere

20 Earth and Elsewhere | Contemporary Works from the Collection

Earth and Elsewhere | Contemporary Works from the Collection 21

Jacky Atjarral , Albert Worr iddjol ,

J immy Bungurru , Lena Kurr ini ya ,

Alma Abbakoyok , J immy Djarrbbaral i ,

Joy Garlb in , Jacky Mardi lanj

Mimis

c.1997–98

Aboriginal people in the rocky environments of western Arnhem

Land speak of the existence of tall, slender spirits they call mimis.

Mimis live in family groups and are said to have taught humans

the foundations of culture: ceremony, song, hunting skills and

survival in the rocky escarpment country. Many early examples

of rock art in western Arnhem Land are attributed to mimis,

who are acknowledged by local artists for teaching them the

subjects and techniques needed for their art. Mimis are usually

benign spirits who flee at the approach of intruders; however,

they are sometimes described as mischievous and dangerous.

The Kunwinjku people of the rocky Arnhem Land plateau perform

a dynamic style of music and dance in which they imitate the

sounds and movements of mimis.

page:

Mitra Tabrizian

/ Iran/England /

Untitled

(detail) 2009, printed 2010 / Type C photograph on paper / 126.9 x 296cm, 124.8 x 267.2cm (comp.) / Acc. 2010.344 /

Purchased 2010 with a special allocation from the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation

Jacky Atjarral

/ Yirritja/Gurrgoni people, Australia b.1948 /

Albert Worriddjol

/ Kunibidji people, Australia b.c.1940 /

Jimmy Bungurru

/ Nkamarrang, Ndjebbana/Kunbarlang

people, Australia b.1939 /

Lena Kurriniya

/ Kunwinjku people, Australia 1939–2003 /

Alma Abbakoyok

/ Kunwinjku people, Australia b.1953 /

Jimmy Djarrbbarali

/ Kunwinjku

people, Australia b.1952 /

Joy Garlbin

/ Kunwinjku people, Australia b.1960 /

Jacky Mardilanj

/ Kunwinjku people, Australia b.1953 /

Mimis

c.1997–98 / Carved wood, mostly

‘Bombax ceiba’ (silk floss tree), with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint / 49 pieces ranging from 94 x 6 x 3.5cm to 284 x 30 x 18cm / Acc. 1998.056.001–082 /

Purchased 1998. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Grant