Illortamini Mick Aruni Bima Sculpture
Old ironwood Bima Sculpture by Mick Aruni Illortamini
Object type: Sculpture
Locality: Tiwi islands Australia
Artist: Attributed to Mick Aruni Illortamini
Circa: 1970
Length: 54 cm
Description: Attributed to Mick Aruni Illortamini, this finely conceived figure depicts Bima – its restrained form capturing the sorrow and solemnity associated with her story. There is a serious simplicity to the carving, with the upright, almost architectural form allowing the painted surface and expression of the face to carry much of the work’s emotional weight.
Illortamini was among the pioneering carvers associated with Paru at Snake Bay, an important centre for the development of Tiwi sculpture. Here, the rich yellow ochre of the body is set against deep red, black and white pigments, while the face is treated with considerably greater delicacy. Fine painted details evoke the ceremonial body and facial painting of a Tiwi woman in mourning, giving the otherwise austere figure an unusually poignant presence.
At 54 cm high, the sculpture is particularly well proportioned for domestic display. It is compact enough to sit comfortably on a shelf or bookcase, yet sufficiently substantial to retain the commanding sculptural presence characteristic of early Tiwi figure carving.
Price: $3200 AUD
