- Title: Pakitiringa Japarra
- Artist: Conrad Kamilowra Tipungwuti
- Region: Tiwi Islands
- Art Centre: Jilamara Arts and Crafts
- Medium: Etching & Screenprint
- Collection:
- Dimensions: 59 x 22.5 cm
- Edition Size: 20
- Price ($AUD): $ 480
Artwork Story
Conrad created this etching during a print workshop with Master Printer, Basil Hall in 2017.
Pakitiringa is the rain that falls consistently in the wet season. Japarra is the moon man. When a gold ring forms around the moon during the final stages of the wet season Japarra the moon man is performing Kulama. Inside this ring a multitude of star people sing and dance Kulama songs. This is the time to prepare for Kulama, the annual celebration of life.
Jilamara translates to design. Jilamara is originally drawn from the body painting which accompanied the Pukumani (funeral) and Kulama (initiation / yam) ceremonies. All the artists living at Milikapiti are drawing on collective Tiwi memory, and the individual expression and aesthetic qualities of each artist’s work is reflective of their personal interpretation of Jilamara.
© Jilamara Arts and Crafts