Bring William Barak's artwork home to Wurundjeri
Two pieces of invaluable artwork created by Wurundjeri artist and Ngurungaeta (headman) William Barak (1824-1903) are up for sale at Sotheby's in New York on the 25th of May 2022. The two pieces of artwork include a drawing of figures in possum skin cloaks and a shield. Barak's artwork rarely appears at auction.
PLEASE HELP THE WURUNDJERI PEOPLE PURCHASE THESE BARAK ARTWORKS
In 2016, a drawing by William Barak, named 'Ceremony' went to auction in Sydney. The Wurundjeri Corporation bid for this artwork but were unsuccessful , which led to great heart ache amongst the Wurundjeri, who came so close, but could not purchase something that rightfully belonged to them.
PLEASE HELP TO MAKE SURE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.
We seek your support in raising funds to purchase these two pieces of artwork so that they can be returned to Country and be kept safe for the Wurundjeri people and their descendants.
William Barak was the first Indigenous artist of renown in colonised Australia, and thus his work is historically important for Victorians and Australia as a whole. His artwork is a window into traditional Wurundjeri culture at the time, prior to the attempted erasure by European settlement, which changed the Wurundjeri world forever.
The first artwork is Barak's untitled (Figures in possum skin cloaks), 1897, which is a rare drawing. It is different from previous work and depicts a group of male and female figures in possum skins cloaks who are shown gathered for a cultural purpose.
The second artwork is a Barak parrying shield. The shield is unique, as there are three boldly incised motifs at the centre. These motifs are design elements not found on other parrying shields attributed to Barak.
It is estimated that these two artworks will fetch up to $1,000,000 combined at auction, and thus Wurundjeri are seeking to raise money to bring them home to the Wurundjeri people.
Wurundjeri intends to bid for this artwork and aims to raise funds through a range of different options, including this GoFundMe page.
Please help if you can.
PLEASE HELP THE WURUNDJERI PEOPLE PURCHASE THESE BARAK ARTWORKS
In 2016, a drawing by William Barak, named 'Ceremony' went to auction in Sydney. The Wurundjeri Corporation bid for this artwork but were unsuccessful , which led to great heart ache amongst the Wurundjeri, who came so close, but could not purchase something that rightfully belonged to them.
PLEASE HELP TO MAKE SURE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.
We seek your support in raising funds to purchase these two pieces of artwork so that they can be returned to Country and be kept safe for the Wurundjeri people and their descendants.
William Barak was the first Indigenous artist of renown in colonised Australia, and thus his work is historically important for Victorians and Australia as a whole. His artwork is a window into traditional Wurundjeri culture at the time, prior to the attempted erasure by European settlement, which changed the Wurundjeri world forever.
The first artwork is Barak's untitled (Figures in possum skin cloaks), 1897, which is a rare drawing. It is different from previous work and depicts a group of male and female figures in possum skins cloaks who are shown gathered for a cultural purpose.
The second artwork is a Barak parrying shield. The shield is unique, as there are three boldly incised motifs at the centre. These motifs are design elements not found on other parrying shields attributed to Barak.
It is estimated that these two artworks will fetch up to $1,000,000 combined at auction, and thus Wurundjeri are seeking to raise money to bring them home to the Wurundjeri people.
Wurundjeri intends to bid for this artwork and aims to raise funds through a range of different options, including this GoFundMe page.
Please help if you can.
Organiser
Wurundjeri Corporation
Organiser
Abbotsford, VIC
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
Beneficiary