Ngapa Jukurrpa by Shorty Jangala Robertson 46x46cm

Ngapa Jukurrpa by Shorty Jangala Robertson 46x46cm

This striking painting titled Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming) by senior Warlpiri artist Shorty Jangala Robertson (1930–2014) depicts the significant site of Puyurru , located west of Yuendumu, approximately 300 km northwest of Alice Springs. The artwork captures the unique geography and mythology of this location, where a usually dry creek bed contains water soakages, or naturally occurring wells, represented by the long, straight lines in the etching.

The story behind this artwork tells of two Jangala men, rainmakers, who sang to summon a powerful storm. The storm unleashed lightning and traveled across the land, eventually meeting another storm from Wapurtali in the west. A bird carried the combined storms further west, but the weight became too much, and the storm was dropped at Purlungyanu, creating a giant soakage. At Puyurru, the bird unearthed a giant snake, Wanayarra , which carried water that formed a large lake called Jillyiumpa. This lake holds cultural and spiritual significance, and an outstation at the site is still home to Shorty’s family today.

This painting is testament to Shorty Jangala Robertson’s mastery of storytelling and artistry. His work intricately weaves the spiritual and physical landscapes of his ancestral land, bringing the Dreaming stories of the Warlpiri people to life. This etching is a valuable piece for collectors and admirers of Indigenous Australian art, reflecting the cultural depth and artistic skill of one of the Warlpiri community’s most esteemed artists.