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31

MICK KUBARKKU (BORN CIRCA 1922)

Moon Dreaming circa 1995
Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark
127 x 72 cm approx. (irregular)

Mick Kubarkku commenced painting his Moon Dreaming series in 1990. ‘The circular shape of the rock formation is reminiscent of the moon. Most of Kubarkku’s Moon Dreaming series ‘relate to the Dird Djang sites in his estate close to Yikarrakkal Outstation, including one major site that consists of a large circular hole in a sandstone outcrop, which the artist says was formed by the Rainbow Serpent piercing the rock.’

A long time ago the moon was a man, but he turned himself into the moon. I have made a painting of the rock where the Rainbow Serpent pierced a hole in the stone. Then the Dreaming lay on top of her. She is now underneath and the stone is on the top.

According to local mythology, the moon is associated with the concept of mortality and rebirth and Moon argued this point with adversary, the Spotted Quoll. The Quoll believed that death was final, but the Moon argued that when he died he would be renewed. The Moon then proceeded to prove his point by flying up into the heavens to become the moon that waxes and wanes each lunar month.’ Ref: Margie West, ‘Rainbow Sugarbag and Moon’, Museum and Art Gallery of the North Territory, Darwin 1995 p.26.

PROVENANCE
Framed Gallery, Darwin
Kubarkku was born in the escarpment country of Arnhemland at a place called Kukabarnka, which is close to the Liverpool River. During his early years of growing up he would with the rest of his family travel widely across much of the surrounding country. Once adolescence was attained Kubarkku participated in many ceremonies, namely the Gunabibi and the Mardayin. It was through these ceremonies and along with the knowledge of the elder members of his clan that Kubarkku gained the knowledge that he now has.

REPRESENTED
National Gallery of Victoria
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery of South Australia
Art Gallery of Western Australia
Art Gallery of Queensland
Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory