PAINTING STORY

Marlu Jukurrpa (Red Kangaroo Dreaming) Yarnardilyi & Jurnti

This painting depicts the Marlu Jukurrpa (red kangaroo
[Macropus rufus] Dreaming) from Yarnardilyi and Jurnti (Mt
Dennison area). ‘Marlu’ are highly valued as a food source by
Warlpiri people. In the story of this painting an old ancestral
kangaroo named Warlawee, who made its camp at Jurnti and
moves from place to place – hunting during the day and
returning at night to the camp, which it has formed by digging
depressions in the soft ground. Warlawee traveled around
large areas of country looking for their preferred foods, which
include ‘yukuri’ (fresh green growth) and ‘yulkardi’ (desert
cucumber [Mukia micrantha]) a low-growing herb found
underneath ‘mulga’ trees which is used by Warlpiri people for
medicinal purposes. He is thinking about having a ceremony
for men. Women are not permitted to dance in this ceremony.
This Jukurrpa is the custodial responsibility of
Japaljarri/Jungarrayi men and Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women. In
contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is
used to represent the Jukurrpa, particular sites and other
elements. Concentric circles are often used in depictions of this
story to represent the rocks at Yarnardilyi. The arc shapes
depict the kangaroo’s camp in the Jurnti area and ‘E’ and
hooked shapes usually depict the ‘marlu wirliya’ (kangaroo fore
and hind footprints) while long, straight lines represent the
‘marlu ngirnti’ (kangaroo tail tracks).

ARTIST: SHARLENE NAKAMARRA NELSON

GARMENT INFO

• Organically grown wild bamboo
• Loose fit
• Chest pocket
• Bamboo wood-look buttons

COMPOSITION

65%  Bamboo Fiber  35% Cotton

Care and Use Instructions: cold machine wash with like colours. Do not bleach, soak or rub

Do not tumble dry. Warm iron, Do not dry clean