LILY KARADADA - WANDJINA
LILY KARADADA
WANDJINA, 2002
160 x 120 cm
natural earth pigments on linen
REGION
Kimberley, WA
PROVENANCE
Narrangunny Art Traders, W.A
Cooee Art Leven, NSW
STORY
Wandjina can be seen in the passing of the dry season, to 'the wet' in the form of vast billowing white clouds. In the late afternoon the terrible rumbling of thunder and glow of lightning within the vast billowing clouds overhead are what top-enders get most excited about. It means that the long, hot build up of heat and humidity will break and once again the rain cycle will commence. In days when Aboriginal people were ruled by spirits of the land, the 'build up' was the source of ceremonial tribute, representing not only rebirth and growth, but also the cruelty of the storm and flood. Regarded both as a fertility spirit and Woongurr, powerful and wise leader. These Wandjina’s are depicted with Ponnai (fresh water turtle) which represents a particular turtle dreaming site which she inhabits both physically and spiritually. Ponnai is also Wandjina’s favourite food, it's likeness seen underneath the turtle's jaw bone. It is suggested that the Wandjina is in the process of transformation from one physical entity to another. The dots represent the blood and water mix of man and animal. The stripes represent the ceremonial paint of a higher spiritual being.
EXHIBITED
Lily Karadada - The last of the great Wandjina painters, April 2011, Cooee Art Leven, NSW
ARTIST PROFILE
