Short St Gallery
Short St Gallery
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Exhibitions
  • Available Artworks
  • Artists
  • News
  • Contact
Menu

Artworks $500 - $1000

  • All
  • Artworks $500 & under
  • Artworks $500 - $1000
  • Artworks $1000 - $2000
  • Artworks $2000 - $3000
  • Artworks $3000 - $4000
  • Artworks $4000 - $6000
  • Artworks $6000 - $10,000
  • Artworks $10,000 plus
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Sebastian Japanangka Williams, Wardapi Jukurrpa ( Goanna Dreaming), 2023

Sebastian Japanangka Williams

Wardapi Jukurrpa ( Goanna Dreaming), 2023
acrylic on linen
76 x 46 cm
7522/23
Enquire
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ESebastian%20Japanangka%20Williams%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EWardapi%20Jukurrpa%20%28%20Goanna%20Dreaming%29%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2023%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eacrylic%20on%20linen%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E76%20x%2046%20cm%3C/div%3E
View on a Wall
This painting depicts a 'wardapi Jukurrpa' (sand monitor/goanna [Varanus gouldi] Dreaming). This dramatic Jukurrpa travels between Purturlu (Mount Theo), approximately 150kms north-northwest of Yuendumu, and Yarripilangu (Newhaven), which is approximately...
Read more
This painting depicts a 'wardapi Jukurrpa' (sand monitor/goanna [Varanus gouldi] Dreaming). This dramatic Jukurrpa travels between Purturlu (Mount Theo), approximately 150kms north-northwest of Yuendumu, and Yarripilangu (Newhaven), which is approximately 100kms southwest of Yuendumu. This painting focuses on the portion of the Jukurrpa that takes place at Yarripilangu, which is owned by Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women and Japaljarri/Jungarrayi men. The portion of the Jukurrpa at Purtirlu belongs to Napanangka/Napangardi women and Japangka/Japangardi men.

This Jukurrpa tells the story of a Japangardi man names Wamaru who lived at Jarrardajarrayi near soakage called Juntangkalpa. He travelled south to Yarripilangu and approached a group of 'karnta' (women) that were sitting down in a circle there. He wanted to woo a Nungarrayi woman names Yurlkurinyi who was the wrong skin for him. By tribal law, this woman was his mother-in-law and their relationship would be taboo.

This Japangardi man wooed the Nungarrayi woman and they went up the hill at Yarripilangu where they made love. The earth there turned to 'ngunjungunju' (white ochre) and the man turned himself and all the 'karnta' (women) into 'wardapi' (goannas). The Japangardi man eventually brought the Nungarrayi woman back to Purturluto live, even though they were the wrong skin for each other.

White ochre is still found on top of the hill at Yarripilangu and is used today for love magic and for ceremonial decoration. There's also a cave where you can see the shape of a goanna entering. There are beautiful groundwater springs on the east side of the Yarripilangu hill. A number of important Jukurrpa associated with mens' initiation ceremonies pass through Yarripilangu; these include 'karnta Jukurrpa' (womens' Dreaming), 'ngalyipi Jukurrpa' (snakevine [Tinospora smilacina] Dreaming), 'wati-jarra Jukurrpa' (two men Dreaming), and 'witi Jukurrpa' (ceremonial pole Dreaming).

In contemporary Warlpiri paintings, traditional iconography can be used to represent the Jukurrpa, particular sites, and other elements. In paintings of this Jukurrpa, the group of women is often represented by concentric circles and 'U' shapes. Concentric circles can also illustrate 'wardapi' holes and the droppings they leave, while 'wardipi' tracks are usually represented by 'W' shapes.
Close full details
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Previous
|
Next
78 
of  145
Privacy Policy
Manage cookies
Copyright © Short St Gallery
Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Twitter, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Join the mailing list
Send an email

This website uses cookies
This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. Please contact us to find out more about our Cookie Policy.

Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences