Jilamara Design, 2014

natural earth pigments on linen

90 x 70 cm

$6,000

Provenance: Munupi Arts, Pirlangimpi, NT, Cat No. 14-145
Artwork story: During ceremony on the Tiwi Islands a series of 'yoi' (dances) are performed; some are totemic (inherited from the person's Mother) and some serve to act out the narrative of newly composed songs. Participants in these ceremonies are painted with turtiyanginari (the different natural ochre colours) in varying designs, transforming the dancers and, in some cases, providing protection against recognition by mapurtiti (spirits). These designs can be applied in different ways. Ochre is applied to the body and face. These significant artistic designs collectively are called 'Jilamara'.

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1929 – 2023

natural earth pigments on linen

90 x 70 cm

$6,000

Provenance: Munupi Arts, Pirlangimpi, NT, Cat No. 14-145
Artwork story: During ceremony on the Tiwi Islands a series of 'yoi' (dances) are performed; some are totemic (inherited from the person's Mother) and some serve to act out the narrative of newly composed songs. Participants in these ceremonies are painted with turtiyanginari (the different natural ochre colours) in varying designs, transforming the dancers and, in some cases, providing protection against recognition by mapurtiti (spirits). These designs can be applied in different ways. Ochre is applied to the body and face. These significant artistic designs collectively are called 'Jilamara'.