Lot 63

Papunya Tula Artists, Northern Territory (accompanied by a copy of the certificate of authenticity)
Gabrielle Pizzi Gallery, Melbourne (label verso)
The Estate of Grant Smith, Melbourne
Private collection, Melbourne

"This painting depicts designs associated with the Snake Dreaming which travelled from Karrinyarra (Mt. Wedge), west to Lake Mackay and then further west to Nyinmi Rockhole and soakage water, just to the east of Jupiter Well. At Nyinmi the snake entered the rockhole where it is said to remain today.

This mythology forms part of the Tingari Cycle. Since events associated with the Tingari Cycle are of a secret nature no further detail was given. Generally, the Tingari are a group of mythical characters of the Dreaming who travelled over vast stretches of the country, performing rituals and creating and shaping particular sites. The Tingari Men were usually followed by Tingari Women and accompanied by novices and their travels and adventures are enshrined in a number of song cycles. These mythologies form part of the teachings of the post-initiatory youths today as well as providing explanations for contemporary customs."

As stated on the Papunya Tula Artists certificate of authenticity.

© Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri/Copyright Agency, 2025