작품 상세

This iconography in this painting relates to the initiation of young men through the re-enactment of an ancient ritual corroboree that took place during the Dreaming, at a sacred site near Yuelamu, (Mount Allan) around the border of the Tanami and Simpson Desert. With an emphasis on initiating, or leading, male youths into manhood, this ancient corroboree was first conceived by a tribe of Anmatjerre Possums and another of Pitjantjatjarra Rock Wallabies. On their first encounter, they became involved in a fierce territorial battle, which erupted when the ancient Possums ambushed the Rock Wallabies as they arrived at Yuelamu from Port Augusta, on their way to the Top-End (Darwin). Following this bitter battle the two tribes eventually made peace. They then began to share each others language and impart their ancient knowledge through ritual song, dance, body decoration, sandpaintings and other secret/sacred practices. The Rock Wallabies and ancient Possums are represented in this painting through their individual tracks, which the animals left behind as they travelled through the desert landscape. The thin parallel lines represent ritual body decoration as well as the linear pattern of movement that the corroboree dancers traditionally follow in this all-important men's ceremony.