Kimberley Australian Aboriginal Art, Cat No. KA 0030
Artwork story
In her paintings, Judy Napangardi Watson depicts the women’s Dreaming of the Karnta-kurlangu, a large number of ancestral women who danced across the land, creating important sites, discovering plants, foods and medicines and establishing the ceremonies that would perpetuate their generative powers. The dancing women wore hairstring belts (marjardi) and tassels rubbed with red ochre and fat to emphasise their passion and power. They danced with enthusiasm and great enjoyment. The potent life force with which they imbued the country is evoked in Judy’s love of colour and richly textured, drag-dotting style which traces the sinuous lines of dancing women crossing the country.