Clifford Possum Tjapaljarri

This masterful painting gives symbolic expression to a secret/sacred Malierra (initiation) ceremony, which rests at the heart of this Tjungurrayi and Tjapaltjarri Dreaming that is associated to a men’s business camp at Larumba, or otherwise known as Napperby, which forms part of Anmatyerre territory.

The arc motifs resting in front of the men (U-shapes) lend expression to the men’s ceremonial body paint designs, as do the straight parallel bands shown along the picture plane. Likewise the linear dot patterning along the centre of this painting also represents ritual body art, though at the same time it represents Napperby Lake, which flows beneath the earth’s surface at Larumba where the men and youths are in ceremony.

The star-like motifs represent native spinifex grass. Ash from burnt spinifex is also used in Malierra. One of the most fundamental elements in this ceremony is the men’s sacred ground design, which is depicted in this work as three concentric circles.

Provenance
Signed, dated and inscribed verso: Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri “Tjungurrayi & Tjapaltjarri Dreaming” 1998
Artspeak Gallery, Vic TTD9805
Private collection, Vic
Lawson-Menzies, Sydney, NSW – May 2007 – Lot 66
Menzies Estate Collection, Vic
Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Artspeak Studio Gallery and 2 photographs of artist creating the work.