Djirriḏiḏi (Garrawurra body paint)

Helen Ganalmirriwuy was born on Galiwin'ku (Elcho Island) and grew up on her mother’s homeland of Laŋarra (Howard Island). She is an accomplished artist who often works alongside her sister and fellow weaver, Margaret Rarru. Ganalmirriwuy and Rarru create a variety of woven forms from mats to baskets and wearable objects. Both artists are well known for their distinct use of black in their woven forms and for employing colour to render their inherited clan designs within weavings. Ganalmirriwuy is also recognised for her paintings.

In this work Ganalmirriwuy employs the Djaŋ'kawu Sisters Liyagawumirr Djirri-didi (ceremonial body paint designs) to create miny'tji (colour and pattern) on the larrakitj. In comparison to many other artists Ganalmirriwuy’s application of these designs is loose and organic. Significantly, this larrakitj is the first to come into the collection by a female artist connected to Milingimbii.