Walpajirri Jukurrpaby Janelle Napurrurla Ross

This painting depicts Walpajirri. The Bilby is a small mammal previously found throughout Warlpiri lands. Bilby's live in deep burrows and eat Witchetty Grubs and bush fruits. The Bilby is hunted for food and is also used in ceremonies. It has a distinctive white tip on its tail and that is removed and used to make a headdress, worn during ceremonies. In contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa and other elements. In paintings depicting Walpajirri Jukurrpa the Bilby tracks are often shown to depict its travels across the country.

Artist:Janelle Napurrurla Ross
Title:Walpajirri Jukurrpa
ID:5382-16
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas
Size:30 x 30 cm
Region:Yuendumu, Central Australia

Why Sabine likes this

Not to often have a seen Central Australian artist depicting the Bilby, they are a threatened species in Australia and it is wonderful to see a small artwork reflecting the important cultural significance the Bilby has to Aboriginal people.