Jila This is Living Water by Daisy Japulija, 56x76, Arches Paper, WOP18

"Jila: This is Living Water" by Daisy Japulija – Celebrating Ancestral Water Sources

"Jila: This is Living Water" by Daisy Japulija masterfully captures the precious and significant water sources in the Great Sandy Desert with vibrant colour and spontaneous gestures. While many permanent springs exist, only some are 'living waters,' protected by powerful ancestral beings known as jila, who take the form of snakes.

These powerful ancestral beings traverse the dreaming tracks that link these permanent water sources. Before they became snakes, jila were men who made rain, shaped the land, and led culture through ceremonies and songs. Ancient stories recount how some jila traveled the desert together but ended their journeys alone at chosen springs, where they transformed into snakes. These springs are named after their jila guardians, who eternally protect their sacred waters.

Japulija's original artwork, with its brilliant colours and dynamic brushstrokes using acrylic paint on arches paper, vividly depicts the life and significance of these living waters. Her work is a testament to the deep cultural heritage of the Great Sandy Desert and the powerful ancestral beings that safeguard it. The provenance of this piece is Mangkaja Arts in Fitzroy Crossing, WA, ensuring its authenticity and cultural integrity.