Ponnai Wandjina 1996 Original Screenprint by Lily Karedada 68x98cm

Ponnai Wandjina 1996 by renowned Kimberley artist Lily Karedada is a captivating and culturally significant screenprint, part of a limited edition of 100. With an image size of 68 cm x 98 cm and a paper size of 80 cm x 121 cm, this stunning artwork celebrates the rich mythology and traditions of the Kimberley region in Western Australia.

In Aboriginal mythology, the Wandjina are revered as cloud and rain spirits, embodying both creation and renewal. The lines and blocks of colour surrounding the Wandjina's head symbolise lightning, clouds, and rain, reflecting their connection to the dramatic seasonal shifts of the Kimberley. The Wandjina appear as vast, billowing white clouds marking the transition from the dry season to the wet. Thunder, lightning, and heavy rains signify the renewal of the land, a time of ceremonial tribute to the spirits, symbolising both the rebirth and the destructive power of nature.

In this artwork, the Wandjina is intricately connected to Ponnai (freshwater turtle), representing a sacred dreaming site. The turtle, depicted beneath the Wandjina's jawbone, holds spiritual and physical significance as both a totem and a favoured food of the Wandjina. Surrounding hills and rocks symbolise the turtle's rock site, for which the Wandjina serves as caretaker.

What sets this screenprint apart is Lily Karedada’s use of both dots and stripes on the Wandjina's body, a rare combination. The dots symbolise the blood and water mix of men and animals, while the stripes represent ceremonial paint, elevating the Wandjina as a higher spiritual being.

This unique piece is a testament to Lily Karedada’s mastery and a celebration of Kimberley mythology, making it a must-have for collectors and admirers of Indigenous Australian art.