Details of Purrungu

Catalog Number : 25049
Size : 152cm x 102cm
Medium : acrylic on linen
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Purrungu is the name of an important rock hole near Kiwirrkurra and is home to a giant tjila (water snake). A fire is lit to clear the track to access the rock hole and there is only one way in and one way out. The water is very deep and people have to close their eyes and not look down into the water when they take a drink or use it to cool down. The lines on the painting depict the path of the water snake as it travels underground. If people at the rock hole hear a sound like a motor car approaching and the ground begins to vibrate, the tjila is getting close and everyone has to run away very quickly.

The rock hole attracts lots of rabbits, kangaroos, camels, dingos and birds who come to drink so it is a good place for hunting. This country belongs to Mr Giles' father and mother.