Malliera Ceremonies, 2000 by Dr George Tjapaltjarri 122x198cm Cat 5286DG

The subject represented in this painting by well respected Ngankari (traditional healer) Dr George Tjapaltjarri is of a secret and sacred nature few details are given.

The theme of most of Dr George's paintings is Malliera Ceremonies, a post-initiatory stage that can last 3 - 6 months each time. The newly initiated men are often subject to extreme, physical and mentally exhausting circumstances where new learning about their country, associated songs and body paint is revealed layer by layer.

Dr George, like other senior Pintupi law men, that were all high initiates, had grown up with the knowledge of culture and traditional law as the most import aspect of their lives. They possessed an encyclopaedic nature of knowledge.

As a law man and a big ritual leader who is incredibly important with sacred objects, Dr George continued to preside over ceremonies, playing a very import role in many aspects.