Madjardi – Women’s Love Magic, 2002

screenprint: opaque paint on three acetates

Edition

$550

Secure payment via Stripe. Prices in AUD.

Production notes: Acetates created at Lajamanu, July 2002. Print published at Darwin NT, November 2002.
Exhibited: Yilpinji: Love Art and Ceremony, Australian Museum, Sydney; toured nationally and internationally (Australia, United States and Europe), 2002–2003. Curated by Dr Christine Nicholls; coordinated by Adrian Newstead for the Australian Art Print Network.
Artwork story: Amongst the Warlpiri women and men share many rituals, customs, Dreamings and practices involved in Yilpinji, Love Magic. This print by important Warlpiri artist Judy Napangardi Martin shows women (U shapes) making Majardi, Love Magic Hair Belts. Having fallen in love the girl goes to her female relatives and is instructed on how to attract her man as a lover. She weaves a belt while singing Yilpinji songs imbuing the belt with magic. When the man approaches she entices him with her charms until he comes under the influence of her allure. She reveals the belt as his ardour grows and persuades him to place the belt around her waist. As he does he falls under her spell and they go off together in to the long grass to make love. Once their love is consummated they walk off into the bush together as a couple. The important tribal members, on learning of their tryst follow them and confront them as a couple. In this way the tribe recognises their relationship and acknowledges that it is an appropriate match. They are now recognised by all as a couple.

Click to enlarge

b. c.1940

screenprint: opaque paint on three acetates

Edition

$550

Secure payment via Stripe. Prices in AUD.

Production notes: Acetates created at Lajamanu, July 2002. Print published at Darwin NT, November 2002.
Exhibited: Yilpinji: Love Art and Ceremony, Australian Museum, Sydney; toured nationally and internationally (Australia, United States and Europe), 2002–2003. Curated by Dr Christine Nicholls; coordinated by Adrian Newstead for the Australian Art Print Network.
Artwork story: Amongst the Warlpiri women and men share many rituals, customs, Dreamings and practices involved in Yilpinji, Love Magic. This print by important Warlpiri artist Judy Napangardi Martin shows women (U shapes) making Majardi, Love Magic Hair Belts. Having fallen in love the girl goes to her female relatives and is instructed on how to attract her man as a lover. She weaves a belt while singing Yilpinji songs imbuing the belt with magic. When the man approaches she entices him with her charms until he comes under the influence of her allure. She reveals the belt as his ardour grows and persuades him to place the belt around her waist. As he does he falls under her spell and they go off together in to the long grass to make love. Once their love is consummated they walk off into the bush together as a couple. The important tribal members, on learning of their tryst follow them and confront them as a couple. In this way the tribe recognises their relationship and acknowledges that it is an appropriate match. They are now recognised by all as a couple.