CreatorLily 'Mindindil' KaradadaTitleWandjina (Rain Spirit)Date2002MediumOchre and acrylic on canvasDimensions50cm x 40cmArtist StatementIt is said that the Wandjina spirit figure is the embodiment of the rain spirit and ancestor of the Wunambal, Ngarinyin and Worrora peoples of the north west Kimberley region of Western Australia, where ancient artisans reproduced their images on the walls of the caves and rock formations of the plateau areas along the coast and hinterland.
They are always pictured, in ochres and clays, from a frontal aspect, with no mouths, and large black eyes and a slit or beak-like nose. The icons are usually depicted in a veil of dots representing the blood and water mix of man and animal.
Gnarrangkani (Dreamtime) mythology has it that the Wandjina emerged from the rain clouds, and will return in that manner, other versions suggest that Dumbi, the Owl, is the model, thus it is prominent in some of the stories.Accession Number019.2019Access AdviceFor research purposes only. No reproduction without permission of Yarrila Arts and Museum.
