PROVENANCE
Ngaruwanajirri Inc, Tiwi Islands, NT
Art Leven [formerly Cooee Art], Gadigal (Sydney, NSW)
The Private Collection of the artist Idris Murphy, NSW
Dance: Shark
Skin Group: Mullet
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 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'.
