Lot 79

Warlukurlangu Artists, Northern Territory (accompanied by the certificate of authenticity)
Private collection, Melbourne

From the same series as 2023 NATSIAA award winning work with the same title.

"Mina Mina is an extremely Important ceremonial site for Napangardl and Napanangka women that is located approximately 600kms west of Yuendumu just east of Lake Mackay and the WA border. Mina Mina has a 'marluri' (salt lake or claypan) that is usually dry, without water. There are also a number of 'mulju' (soakages), sandhills, and a large stand of 'kurrkara' (desert oaks [Allocasuarina decaisneana]). The Mina Mina Jukurrpa is an important source of Warlpiri ritual knowledge and social organization, particularly relating to the different roles performed by men and women.

The 'kirda' (owners) of this country are Napangardi/Napanangka women and Japangardi/Japanangka men, who can depict portions of the Mlna Mina Jukurrpa In their paintings. The artists mother, Dorothy Napangardi (1956-2013) painted Mina Mina and has passed down her Jukurrpa stories to her children and asked them to continue to paint for her. There are a number of different components of the Mina Mlna Jukurrpa; artists usually choose to depict one particular aspect. These can include 'karnta' (women), 'karlangu' (digging sticks), 'majardi' (hairstring skirts/tassels), 'ngalyipi' (snakevlne [Tinospora smilacina]), 'jlntiparnta' (desert (ruffle [Elderia arenivaga]), and 'kurrkara' (desert oak [Allocasuarina decaisneana]).

In ancestral times a group of karnta' (women) traveled from Mina Mina on an epic Journey to the east. These ancestral women danced at Mina Mina and 'karlangu' (digging sticks) rose up out of the ground. They collected these digging sticks and started travelling to the east. They carried their digging sticks over their shoulders and they were adorned with 'majardi' (hairstring belts), white feathers, and necklaces made from 'ylnirnti' (bean tree [Erythrina vespertllio]) seeds.

They travelled east from Mlna Mina, dancing, digging for bush tucker, and creating many places as they went. As they went east, they passed through Kimayi (a stand of 'kurrkara' (desert oak)). They passed through sandhill country where the 'yarla' (bush potato or 'big yarn' [pomea costata]) ancestors from Yumurrpa and the ligarlajiyl' (pencil yarn or "small yarn' [Vigna lanceolata]) ancestors from Yumurrpa were engaged in a huge battle over women. This battle Is also a very Important Warlplri Jukurrpa narrative. The women went on to Janyinkl and stopped at Wakakurrku (Mala Bore), where they stuck their digging sticks In the ground."

As stated on the Warlukurlangu Artists certificate of authenticity.

© Julie Robinson Nangala/Copyright Agency, 2025