Yanjilpirri Jukurrpa (Milky Way Dreaming), 2006

synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen

91 x 46 cm

$2,000

Provenance: Warlukurlangu Artists, Yuendumu, NT Cooee Aboriginal Art Gallery, NSW
Artwork story: Japaljarri and Jungarrayi men traveled from Kurlurnalinypa (near Laga manu) to Yanjirlpiri (West of Yuendumu) and then on the Lake Mackay. On the way the performed Kurdiji (initiation ceremonies) for young men. Women also danced for the Kurdiji. The site depicted in this canvas is Yanjirliri, which means “star” in Warliri. There are low hills here which are stars coming down to rest on the earth, and a water soakage. The importance of this place can not be over emphasised as young boys are brought here to be initiated from as far as Pitjantajara country to the sound and Lajamanu to the north. The men wear jinjirla (white feathers on either side of their head during the kurdiji. They also wear wooden carvings of stars which are laid out on the ground as part of the sand paintings produced for ceremony (kurlkuurlpa). Ngalyipi (snake vine) is used to tie witi (ceremonial spears) vertically to the shins of dancing initiates. These witi are shown in straight lines, stars are to white circles; dancing sites, hills and soakages are represented by concentric circles.

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c.1917 – 2010

synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen

91 x 46 cm

$2,000

Provenance: Warlukurlangu Artists, Yuendumu, NT Cooee Aboriginal Art Gallery, NSW
Artwork story: Japaljarri and Jungarrayi men traveled from Kurlurnalinypa (near Laga manu) to Yanjirlpiri (West of Yuendumu) and then on the Lake Mackay. On the way the performed Kurdiji (initiation ceremonies) for young men. Women also danced for the Kurdiji. The site depicted in this canvas is Yanjirliri, which means “star” in Warliri. There are low hills here which are stars coming down to rest on the earth, and a water soakage. The importance of this place can not be over emphasised as young boys are brought here to be initiated from as far as Pitjantajara country to the sound and Lajamanu to the north. The men wear jinjirla (white feathers on either side of their head during the kurdiji. They also wear wooden carvings of stars which are laid out on the ground as part of the sand paintings produced for ceremony (kurlkuurlpa). Ngalyipi (snake vine) is used to tie witi (ceremonial spears) vertically to the shins of dancing initiates. These witi are shown in straight lines, stars are to white circles; dancing sites, hills and soakages are represented by concentric circles.