Ita Tipungwuti was born on the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin. In this work, she has represented ‘kapala’, a Tiwi word that refers to the boat, or sailing boat, totem. As is customary in Tiwi tradition, individuals hold a totem they identify with and that links them to other members of their community who share the spiritual symbol. Special yoyi (dances) are performed in relation to these totems, thus Kapala’s artwork refers to both the sailing boat totem and the associated totemic dance.