JEFFREY JANGALA GALLAGHER - YANKIRRI JUKURRPA (EMU DREAMING) - NGARLIKUR ...
JEFFREY JANGALA GALLAGHER
YANKIRRI JUKURRPA (EMU DREAMING) -
NGARLIKURLANGU, 2018
122 x 76 cm
Synthetic Polymer Paint on Canvas
REGION
Yuendumu, NT
PROVENANCE
Warlukurlangu Artists, Yuendumu, NT
Cooee Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
STORY
This particular site of the Yankirri Jukurrpa, (emu Dreaming [Dromaius novaehollandiae]) is at Ngarlikurlangu, north of Yuendumu. The ‘yankirri’ travelled to the rockhole at Ngarlikurlangu to find water. This Jukurrpa story belongs to Jangala/Jampijinpa men and Nangala/Nampijinpa women.
In contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa, associated sites and other elements. Emus are usually represented by their ‘wirliya’ (footprints), arrow-like shapes that show them walking around Ngarlikurlangu eating ‘yakajirri’ (bush raisin [Solanum centrale]). In the time of the Jukurrpa there was a fight at Ngarlikiurlangu between a ‘yankirri’ ancestor and Wardilyka (Australian bustard [Ardeotis australis]) ancestors over sharing the ‘yakajirri’. There is also a dance for this Jukurrpa that is performed during initiation ceremonies.
ARTIST PROFILE
