Click to enlargeLily Nangala Scobie
- Region
- Central Desert & Tanami
- Community
- Lajamanu
- Language group
- Warlpiri
Water Dreaming, 1999
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
118 x 70cm
- Provenance
- Warnayaka Art Centre, Lajamanu, NT, Cat No. L/99-287
Private Collection NSW
- Artwork story
- The artist has painted her country in flood. The rivers are swollen and the floodwaters have spread and filled the soakages and claypans. These rivers also represent rainbows, associated with the wet season. These wavy lines are painted on the bodies of senior custodians whose ceremonies can create rain. The Warlpiri people who participate in these ceremonies cover their bodies with wild honey, and cover themselves with feather down and native kapok flowers when preparing to take part in these ceremonies. The short parallel lines symbolise clouds.