Australian Aboriginal Bark Painting, X-Ray Style Kangaroo, Bought in 1972

Description

Wonderful, vintage Australian aboriginal bark painting of a kangaroo, done in the x-ray style (seen and copied from ancient rock art images). 14” x 10 1/2”, with a slight bend to the upper part of the bark, which is common; painted with natural ochre earth colors; in very good-excellent condiiton; said to have been bought in 1972 by the original collector.
Work has a paper label on the back with a written description that states “The X-ray painting of a black kangaroo speared by a hunter. The kangaroo is admirably portrayed, and the large body and strong tail, and hind legs contrast with the small head, slender neck, and shoulders, and helpless looking forelegs. The spine is indicated clearly as it supports the whole body, and the femur of the hind legs are marked in the same way as the spine. One can also see the lungs, liver, and intestines. The purposeful figure of the hunter who has just thrown the spear is full of animation. From his neck dangles a carrying bag.” This piece of bark is complete, so, since the hunter is not shown on it,  either the label was meant for another piece, or this was a pair, one showing the hunter and this one the kangaroo. There is no artist listed on the label, but it does have a #18 in it.
_gsrx_vers_566 (GS 6.7.1 (566))