The Old Masters exhibition of 122 bark paintings at the National Museum includes “Coat of Arms” by Narritjin Maymuru painted in 1963, the only one to include non-traditional elements and a contemporary theme. It shows the joining together of British and Yolgnu law with the spearthrower as a symbol of authority; the Kangaroo representing the law and the earth; the Emu symbolising the knowledge and the sky; fresh water meeting salt as the sea and its creatures meet the landmass of the country represented by the familiar two dimensional outline of the whole continent labelled Australia, all reflecting “modern Australian society”. Like many Indigenous artists, Narritjin Maymuru, a respected member of his clan, believed that art had the power to transcend cultural differences. Expression of identity is also a recurring theme in bark painting. [“Old Masters, A Celebration of Australia’s Great Bark Artists”, works from northern Arnhem Land 1948-1988, National Museum of Australia, Canberra until 20 July 2014]
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
