Two Men Dreamingby Frank Japanangka

The Wati Jarra Jukurrpa or Two Men Dreaming belongs to the Japaljarri/Jungarrayi men and the Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women. The painting depicts the journey of a father and son performing initiation ceremonies for young men. Both men and women execute ceremonies as part of the young men's initiation ceremony. The men dragged heavy bushes from the sites of Purrpalala. In this site there is a low hill and a water soakage. The men wear Jinjirla on both sides of their heads. They also wear wooden carving of stars which are also laid out on the ground as part of the sand paintings produced for Kurlkurlpa. Their bodies are painted to represent the stars. The Witi or ceremonial spears and Ngalyipi are used to tie to the legs of young initiates. The concentric circles in this painting represent the stars painted on the men's bodies while straight lines are frequently used to represent the Witi poles.

Artist:Frank Japanangka
Title:Two Men Dreaming
ID:492-13
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas
Size:30 x 30 cm
Region:Yuendumu, Central Australia

Why Sabine likes this

I like this painting because of the visual picture it shows of such an important traditional cultural activity which still continues in Central Australia today. The use of traditional ochre colours adds to the important cultural information provided within the artwork.