FRANCIS KERINAIUA - JILAMARA
FRANCIS KERINAIUA
JILAMARA, 2017
30 x 23 cm
Natural Earth Pigments on Canvas Board
REGION
Tiwi Islands, NT
PROVENANCE
Ngaruwanajirri Inc, Tiwi Islands, NT
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'.
ARTIST PROFILE
