Malliera Initiation Ceremony, 2001 by Dr George Tjapaltjarri 31x61cm

Malliera Ceremonies are for post-initiatory youths where new learning about their country, associated songs and body paint is revealed layer by layer.

The lines in this painting represent many things, including body scarification and body paint used in ceremonies.

As a highly initiated and respected ngankari (traditional healer) Dr George's paintings are often of a secret sacred nature and very little details are given.

However, stories of his healing powers are well known within both traditional people and the medical doctors at the time when the desert peoples made contact in the early sixties.