PAINTING STORY

This painting depicts a 'yankirri jukurrpa' (emu dreaming) from a place called Ngarlikurlangu 50kms north of Yuendumu. The 'kirda (owners) of this dreaming are Nangala/Nampijinpa women and Janala/Jampijinpa men.

The Jukurrpa tells the story of a 'yankirri' (emu) and a 'wardilyka' (bush turkey). Yankirri lived at a soakage to the west called Warnirripanu (or Walangkamirriri), while 'warilyka'lived at a soakage to the east called Parirri. The emu and bush turkey used to go around the country picking 'yakajirri' (bush raisins) and mashing them into 'kapurdu (fruit balls) to save in their nests for later. However, they were jealous of each other; the emu thought that the bush turkey was picking the best and the juiciest 'yakajirri' and was leaving him with only the sour 'yakajirri'.

The emu went to the bush turkey's nest to the east while the bush turkey was out hunting and smashed up the 'kapurdu' that the bush turkey had saved there. When the bush turkey returned, he found his smashed 'yakajirri' balls and realised that the emu had destroyed them. He went to the west to confront the emu and when he found him, they got into a big fight. The bush turkey eventually flew away to the north, leaving behind the smashed 'yakajirri' balls.

Artist:  Sabrina Nungarrayi Gibson

GARMENT INFO

• Organically grown wild bamboo
• Loose fit - Large Sizes, most people go down one size
• Chest pocket
• Bamboo wood-look buttons

COMPOSITION

65%  Bamboo Fiber  35% Cotton