Lily Karadada

Wandjina can be seen in the passing of the dry season, to ‘the wet’ in the form of vast billowing white clouds. In the late afternoon the terrible rumbling of thunder and glow of lightning within the vast billowing clouds overhead are what top-enders get most excited about. It means that the long, hot build up of heat and humidity will break and once again the rain cycle will commence. In days when Aboriginal people were ruled by spirits of the land, the ‘build up’ was the source of ceremonial tribute, representing not only rebirth and growth, but also the cruelty of the storm and flood. Regarded both as a fertility spirit and Woongurr, powerful and wise leader. This Wandjina is depicted with Ponnai (fresh water turtle) which represents a particular turtle dreaming site which she inhabits both physically and spiritually. Ponnai is alsoWandjinas favourite food, it’s likeness seen underneath the turtle’s jaw bone. Hills and rocks are depicted surrounding Wandjina and the turtle rock site, which she is caretaker to. What makes this print unique is the use of both dots and stripes on her body. Usually Wandjina are depicted with one or the other. It is suggested that Wandjina is in the process of transformation from one physical entity to another. The dots represent the blood and water mix of man and animal. The stripes represent the ceremonial paint of a higher spiritual being.