Lot 24

The Artist
Warlukurlangu Artists, Northern Territory, cat. no. 2605/07 (accompanied by a copy of the certificate of authenticity)
Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney
The Le Pley Collection, Western Australia, acquired from the above in 2008

"This painting tells of the journey of Japaljarri and Jungarrayi men who travelled from Kurlurngalinypa (near Lajamanu) to Yanjirlypirri (west of Yuendumu) and then on to Lake Mackay on the West Australian border. Along the way they performed Kurdiji (initiation ceremonies) for young men. Women also danced for the Kurdiji. The site depicted in this canvas is Yanjirlypiri (Star) where there is a low hill and a water soakage. The importance of this place cannot be over emphasised as young boys are brought here to be initiated from as far as Pitjanjatjara country to the south and Laamanu to the north. In contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukupa, particular sites and other elements. During the performance of this ceremony the men wear Jinjiria (white feather headdresses) on either side of their heads. They also wear wooden carvings of stars which are also laid out on the ground as part of the sand paintings produced for business. Ngalyipi (snake vine) is often depicted as long curved lines, and is used to tie Witi (ceremonial spears) vertically to the shins of the dancing initiates. These Witi are typically shown as long straight lines and the Yanjirlpirri (stars) are usually depicted as white circles or roundels."
As stated on the Warlukurlangu Artists certificate of authenticity 

© Paddy Japaljarri Sims/Copyright Agency, 2023