Jilamara, 2008 by Jean Baptiste Apuatimi 120x90cm, Cat 13711JB

Jilamara, 2008 by Jean Baptiste Apuatimi

"Jilamara, 2008" is an exceptional and unusual work by leading Tiwi artist Jean Baptiste Apuatimi. This piece features a unique white background with grey, cream, and yellow ochre, surrounded by sacred red ochre. Jean describes her work as "olden days painting (Parlini Jilamara)," reflecting traditional practices. "Long time ago in the early days, we put Yalinga - red, Arrikininga - yellow, and Tutyangini - white ochre on our face and body for Pukamani and Kulama ceremonies. We call this Minga. Sometimes we still do this. My husband taught me this style. He used to tell me stories about that painting."

The vigorous carving style, figurative iconography, spontaneously painted designs of pwanga amintiya marlipinyini (dots and lines), and bright ochre palette in Jean's work are deeply influenced by her husband, Declan Apuatimi. Declan's inspirational oeuvre, much of which was produced collaboratively with Jean, laid the foundation for her artistic journey. However, once she began painting in her own name, Jean immersed herself in creating art, gradually forging a radical individual style. Her work is recognized for its gestural verve, audacious jilamara, and oscillation between figuration and conceptual abstraction. The potency of her innovative aesthetic derives from both its compositional expansiveness and close connection with customary ritual.

Source: National Gallery of Australia (NGA)