The flying fox dance
NILANBIRR: artist
No image available
By Nilanbirr, one of the Balaan mala, jirritja moiety. The bark depicts the flying fox dance. The human figures with the flying fox heads are arranged in the actual positions the dancers take when performing the ceremony. The rectangle is the big rock into which the flying fox spirit transformed himself after creating the flying foxes. The dance is carried out on this rock, which is quite a large one. The star-like marks are the droppings of the flying fox. Exhibited: Field: Field Museum, Chicago. 1972. Cat. deYoung: M.H deYoung Memorial Museum, San Fransisco. 1974. Cat.
Title
The flying fox dance
Artist/Maker and role
NILANBIRR: artist
Medium
ochres on eucalyptus bark
Measurements
22.2 x 56.5cm
Credit line
Purchased through the Western Australian Government, 1988
The State Art Collection, The Art Gallery of Western Australia
Accession number
1988/0552