Snake Dreamingby Kirsten Napaljarri Spencer

The place depicted in this painting is Ngama just south of Yuendumu in Central Australia. The Dreaming belongs to the Nakamarra and Napurrurla women and the Jakamarra and Japurrurla men. The story describes the journey of Yarripiri, an ancestral Warnu (Snake). He travelled from place to place through the territories of Ngapanangka-Jarra finally arriving at Ngama. Yarripiri was sad as his family had left him behind at Wirnparrku, he was blind and crippled but he was determined to find them. He has to be carried by Kurdungurla or the ceremonial police of the Dreaming - the Nangala and Nampijinpa women and the Jangala and Jampijinpa men. Where Yarripiri's tail slumped and touched the ground creeks were formed, such as Mijirlparnta, west of Yuendumu. Yarripiri tracks and paths are often represented by arc shapes or curved lines depicted across the canvas.

Artist:Kirsten Napaljarri Spencer
Title:Snake Dreaming
ID:4202-18
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas
Size:30 x 30 cm
Region:Yuendumu, Central Australia

Artist

Kirsten Napaljarri Spencer comes from Yuendumu Community approximately 300km from Alice Springs in Central Australia. Kirsten is a Warlpiri artist who works closely with Warlukurlangu Artists, a local Aboriginal owned and governed art centre based in Yuendumu. Kirsten depicts Warnu Jukurrpa or Snake Dreaming.

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