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'Japarra and Japalinga (Moon and Stars)'
90 x 90 cm, locally sourced ochre on canvas
$920
Japarra and Japalinga feature heavily in ceremonial representations on the Tiwi Islands. Japara (the moon) is a major signifier of season and the timing of the kulama ceremony, the coming of age ceremony that is held at the end of the wet season when a ring apears around the moon. Japalinga (stars) are usually represented by ochre dots and commonly appear in various forms of jilamara – body paint designs that the Tiwi apply to each other for ceremony and yoyi (dance).
Cat: 418-23