Artist: Karen Napaljarri Barnes | Title: Janganpa Jukurrpa (Possum Dreaming) | Year: 2006 | Medium: synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen | Dimensions: 76 x 61cm
PROVENANCE
Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Assoc. Cat No. 260/06
Cooee Art Gallery, NSW
ARTWORK STORY
Janganpa Jukurrpa (possum Dreaming) travels all over Warlpiri country.
This part of the story comes from a big hill called Mawurrji, west of Yuendumu and north of Pikilyi (Vaughan Springs).
There is a mulju (water soakage) there that was created by a possum ancestor. In the painting the ‘E’ shaped figures represents the possum tracks, the sinuous lines are the track left by the possum trail as it travels between the sand. The small concentric circles are the trees in which the possums live, and also the sites at Mawurrji.
Warlpiri people have a young men initiation ceremony with Janganp Jukurrpa. The Dreaming belongs to Japaljarri/Jungarrayi men and Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women.
Artist Profile
COMMUNITY/ REGION
Yuendumu, NT
LANGUAGE
Warlpiri
BIOGRAPHY
After finishing school in Lajamanu, Karen Napaljarri Barnes moved to Yuendumu and started painting for Warlukurlangu in 2001. She learned from her grandmother, Judy Napangardi Watson, who taught her cultural stories and traditions while encouraging her art.
Karen paints Dreaming stories that have been passed down through her family for generations. These stories originate from Mina Mina, a land west of Yuendumu, for which her family are the traditional custodians.
Recently, Karen has gained recognition for her depictions of Budgerigar Dreaming (Ngatijirri Jukurrpa), using bold, contrasting colours to portray the birds and abstract depictions of their surrounding landscapes.
© Adrian Newstead
REFERENCES
Kate Owen Gallery. "Karen Napaljarri Barnes." Accessed October 20, 2024.
PROVENANCE
Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Assoc. Cat No. 260/06
Cooee Art Gallery, NSW
ARTWORK STORY
Janganpa Jukurrpa (possum Dreaming) travels all over Warlpiri country.
This part of the story comes from a big hill called Mawurrji, west of Yuendumu and north of Pikilyi (Vaughan Springs).
There is a mulju (water soakage) there that was created by a possum ancestor. In the painting the ‘E’ shaped figures represents the possum tracks, the sinuous lines are the track left by the possum trail as it travels between the sand. The small concentric circles are the trees in which the possums live, and also the sites at Mawurrji.
Warlpiri people have a young men initiation ceremony with Janganp Jukurrpa. The Dreaming belongs to Japaljarri/Jungarrayi men and Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women.
Artist Profile
COMMUNITY/ REGION
Yuendumu, NT
LANGUAGE
Warlpiri
BIOGRAPHY
After finishing school in Lajamanu, Karen Napaljarri Barnes moved to Yuendumu and started painting for Warlukurlangu in 2001. She learned from her grandmother, Judy Napangardi Watson, who taught her cultural stories and traditions while encouraging her art.
Karen paints Dreaming stories that have been passed down through her family for generations. These stories originate from Mina Mina, a land west of Yuendumu, for which her family are the traditional custodians.
Recently, Karen has gained recognition for her depictions of Budgerigar Dreaming (Ngatijirri Jukurrpa), using bold, contrasting colours to portray the birds and abstract depictions of their surrounding landscapes.
© Adrian Newstead
REFERENCES
Kate Owen Gallery. "Karen Napaljarri Barnes." Accessed October 20, 2024.