The Artists

Albert Namatjira

The Feathered Serpent

Robinson, Roland The Feathered Serpent,
with a foreword by T.G.H. Strehlow
Sydney, Edwards & Shaw, 1956.

Albert Namatjira retained a deep understanding of the mythology of the Aranda, and this was shown in his relating of three Aranda myths to Roland Robinson for his book The Feathered Serpent that was published in 1956.

The three myths were:
'Erintja the Devil-dog' related by Tonanga (Albert Namatjira) of the Arranda tribe;
'The Eagle-men of Alkutnama' related by Tonanga of the Arranda tribe; and
'The Old-man and his Six Sons, the Namatuna' related by Tonanga of the Arranda tribe.

Left: Arthur Streeton - Above Us The Great Grave Sky, 1890
Collection: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.