Memorial Pole Item Number: 3373/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Hollow memorial pole with designs painted across the exterior. Assorted designs circle pole in five wide bands, divided into four columns; done in white, maroon, black and dark yellow. The dark yellow and black pigment alternate in the bands as a primary colour; white and maroon are dominant colours throughout. Columns in each band alternate between an animal design and rows of interconnected diamonds; zigzags, plain lines and dot motifs throughout. Bands are separated with three plain yellow lines over alternating maroon and black lines. From top to bottom of pole, the animals are: crayfish, turtles, herons, fish and frog-like figures. Interior is undecorated.
Traditionally a larrakitj (memorial pole) was used as a mortuary pole, hollowed to hold the bones of the dead, after the body was burned. The poles were placed on significant sites, painted with clan symbols, and left to deteriorate over time.
Purchased by Mayer (for the museum) from an art centre in Yirrkala, in April 2019, while leading a "MOA Journeys" tour to northern Australia.
Contemporary art.
Made from a "stringybark" pole using natural pigments.