Karedada, Lily

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Title

Karedada, Lily

Author

Australian Art Print Network.

Source

[Not applicable]

Publication date

2001

Type

Biography

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

Lily Karedada

Lily Karedada was born of Woonambal parents in her father’s country, Woomban-go-wangoorr, around the Prince Regent River in the East Kimberley. She belongs to the Jirrengar (owlet nighthar) moiety and her specific totems are the turkey, possum and white cockatoo. Her bush name, Mindindil, means bubbles, referring to the time when her father ‘found’ her spirit coming from the water. He looked down into the spring water on top of a hill, saw bubbles coming out and announced, “Ah what this one here, he come out bubble? Ah! Might be kid.”

Karedada specialises in representations of Wandjina, executed in a refined style, full of subtle tonal variations. Sometimes the Wandjina is shown emerging from a veil of dots (rain) which also inundate the body. Both the outlines and dotting are far more precise than the vigorous, gestured marks of sister in law Rosie Karedada. A dotted ground is also characteristic of Karedada’s depictions of totemic species and the natural features of her country.

She is recognised as being one of the major artists of the Kimberley region and has exhibited her work extensively.

Biography courtesy of The Australian Art Print Network, 2001.
© Australianprints