'And this painting becomes his body for life': Perspectives on the relational materiality of images in northern Australia

International audienceAmong the most striking images produced in north-east Arnhem Land today, are thepaintings given to young boys during their first initiation ceremony dhapi. Skillfully appliedon their chest over several hours, while singing and dancing proceeds on the ceremonialground nearby, these body paintings can be seen as relational matrixes which locate theinitiands within a socio-cosmic web of connections. In the context of dhapi initiations, thelinks between clans, places and ancestral beings are manifested by being made visible on theskin. In this presentation, I will suggest that Yolngu ritual images appear as “matter(s) ofrelations” par excellence. Pragmatically composed and displayed for all to see, they assertcertain rights and alliances with other groups. Imprinted on the body, deep down to thebones, they partake in a life-long process of turning into an ancestor