Ilma were originally thread-cross artefacts that the Bardi people made from hair or animal fur and used in ceremonies — the term refers to the objects themselves and the associated rituals. Though the motifs that appear on ilma are seemingly abstract, the designs function as narrative seascapes that embody features of the sea such as tidal rips, waterspouts and storm clouds.

Bardi weavers like Roy Wiggan now make ilma from brightly coloured commercial wool. While the weavings are not typically shared beyond the Bardi community, Wiggan exhibits his in the interests of preserving his people’s traditions and keeping their culture strong.