Pikilyi Jukurrpaby Sarah Napaljarri Sims

Sarah’s paintings, although minimalistic in the range of colours used, are captivating due to the striking, unique and intricate patterning detail she often incorporates in to each of her works. In the painting featured, Sarah depicts Pikilyi Jukurrpa, or Vaughan Springs Dreaming.  Pikilyi is a large and important waterhole and natural spring near Mount Doreen station. Vaughan Springs Dreaming tells of the home of two rainbow serpents, ancestral heroes who lived together as man and wife. The woman rainbow serpent was of the Napanangka skin group, and the man was a Japangardi. This was a taboo relationship contrary to Warlpiri religious law. women of the Napanangka and Napangardi subsection sat by the two serpents, picking lice off them. For this service, the two serpents allowed the women to take water from the springs at Pikilyi. This was because the serpents were the ceremonial owners of that country. The spirits of these two rainbow serpents are still at Pikilyi today.

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