Pwoja

Traditional Tiwi Culture placed special significance on the Pukumani (funeral) ceremony. Mourners are decorated using natural ochres to disguise themselves from the spirit of the deceased and song and dance is performed to honour the dead. Yirrinkiripwoja (bodypaint) is the source of many contemporary Tiwi designs and performance of the pukumani as ritual helps to reinvigorate the imagery. The shortening of the word to Pwoja – also refers to ‘best’.Sugar lift and aquatint etching with chine colle, printed in red from one plate. Created during a workshop at Jilamara Arts and Crafts in March 2006 with printmaker Trent Walter, printed in 2006.