![Australian Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) artwork by ENA NAKAMARRA GIBSON of Warlukurlangu Artists (Yuendumu). The title is Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming) - Wapurtali. [88/09ny] (Acrylic on Canvas)](https://media.redotgallery.com/stockroom/gallery/n/ngapa-jukurrpa-water-dreaming-wapurtali-1216.jpg)
88/09ny (2009)
Acrylic on Canvas
Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming… | 88/09ny
Acrylic on Canvas
122 x 46cm | 48 x 18.1in
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This Ngapa Jukurrpa (water Dreaming) comes from Wapurtali (Mt. Singleton) west of Yuendumu. The custodians of this Jukurrpa are women and men of the Nakamarra/Napurrula and Jakamarra/Jupurrurla subsection. A ‘marlu’ (kangaroo) was cooked at a place called Jalkirri. The smoke from the fire formed ‘milpirri’ (cumulonimbus clouds) and it began to rain. A giant storm formed and travelled from the south over Mikanji where it rained so hard it created a hole in the ground which became a soakage. At Mirrawarri a bird picked up the storm and carried it on its wings to the west until it became too heavy for it and it had to drop it on the ground.
In Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa, particular sites and other elements. Short dashes are often used to represent ’Mungkurdu’ (cumulus & stratocumulus clouds), and longer, flowing lines represent ‘ngawarra’ (flooded waters). Small circles are used to depict ‘mulju’ (water soakages) and river beds.