Completed in October 1991, Arnhem Land artist Les Mirrikkurriya’s bark painting, shown above, describes the Rainbow Serpents ‘Borlung’ in action.
Written on the Maningrida Arts Certificate of authenticity, attached reverse, is a precis of the image’s intriguing narrative. The Serpents, with their heads visible above and tails below; their swerving bodies either side of a hollow tree, are creating the site called ‘Ngaligarri’.
The Certificate is signed by respected art manager Diane Moon who facilitated logistics and exhibitions amongst the many varied jobs living remotely, with limited transport, at a time before phone lines or fax machines let alone WiFi.
This rhythmic, descriptive bark painting needs no authentication though. Like so many artists, the author’s knowledge and way of knowledge transference is identifiable through the artist’s own distinguished mark making.