Lot 29

Papunya Tula Artists, Alice Springs (accompanied by a copy of a certificate of authenticity)
Gallerie Australis, Adelaide
The Kelton Collection, United States of America

"Putja is the mythological site celebrated in this depiction.

During the dreaming the Minyma Kutjarra (literally Women-two) camped at Putja in the course of their epic travels. While at Putja the Minyma Kutjarra searched the surrounding country for food, decorated their bodies and performed Yawalu (women's ceremonies) and as is particularly emphasized in this painting they played the leaf game muni muni. It is believed that by playing this game women can magically attract the 'right' man. The women later travelled west from Putja to Ngutjulynga, where because they had no fire they perished from the cold.

The sets of concentric circles were said to represent holes dug by the women in search of bush foods, while the adjoining lines indicate the paths taken by the women between these various sites. The tracks of a dog who accompanied the women through the area are symbolised as ww. While the women themselves are represented by the U shapes. The small black dots between the U shapes indicate patties of squashed Yakatirri (bush raisins) made by the women to carry with them on their journeys.

The short arcs represent the sticks used by the women to tap the ground as a part of the leaf game muni-muni. The bands of dots that surround the composition symbolize Ngalyipi, bark rope used by the women in the performance of Yawalyu ceremonies."
As stated on the Papunya Tula Artists certificate of authenticity