(Yimpinari Country, Melville Island c. 1928–2003 Darwin, Australia)
Fire, 1998, inscribed with artist’s name, title, date and the cat. no. KK 98 LC 157 on the reverse, ochres on canvas, 120 x 110 cm, on stretcher

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs (in copy).

Provenance:
Jilamara Arts, Melville Island, Tiwi Islands (stamp on the reverse) Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs
European Private Collection

Aboriginal artist Kitty Kantilla moved from Yimpinari country on Melville Island to Bathurst Island during the 1970s to live in her mother’s country. It was here that she began working as an artist, initially as a carver, and became acknowledged as one of the leading Tiwi artists in Australia.

She is best known for her distinctive use of ochres on paper, canvas, bark and ironwood. Drawing on her dreaming stories for inspiration, Kantilla produces both paintings and sculpture. Her paintings and limited edition prints are based on traditional designs, including those used during the Pukamani ceremony, the traditional Tiwi burial ceremony which is one of the cornerstones of the Tiwi’s traditional and spiritual beliefs. A wide variety of geometric designs are painted on the burial poles and body of participants during the ceremony and this is what Kitty draws upon in her work. Every line, dot or marking has an important meaning. She translates traditional into new and abstract designs.

Her work is both subtle and strong, with intricate lines of dots, bold areas of solid ochre and sections of delicate line work.

She has shown in many group exhibitions throughout Australia since 1989 and in several individual shows in Sydney since 1993.
www.australianartnetwork.com.au