Acrylic on Linen

Janita is part of the exciting next generation of artists who are developing a modern interpretation of their traditional culture.

Janita likes to paint her parents' Dreamings, in particular Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming) and Yankirri Jukurrpa (Emu Dreaming). In many of her paintings, she uses short dashes to represent 'mangkurdu' (cumulus and stratocumulus clouds), and longer, flowing lines represent 'ngawarra' (flood waters). Small circles are often used to depict 'mulju' (soakages) and river beds.

She currently lives in Kintore, a small Aboriginal community with a population of about 400 near the NT/WA border. It’s located 127 km south west of her hometown Nyirripi.

This particular site of the Yankirri Jukurrpa, (emu Dreaming [Dromaius novaehollandiae]) is at Ngarlikurlangu, north of Yuendumu. The ‘yankirri’ travelled to the rockhole at Ngarlikurlangu to find water. This Jukurrpa story belongs to Jangala/Jampijinpa men and Nangala/Nampijinpa women.In contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa, associated sites and other elements. Emus are usually represented by their ‘wirliya’ (footprints), arrow-like shapes that show them walking around Ngarlikurlangu eating ‘yakajirri’ (bush raisin [Solanum centrale]). In the time of the Jukurrpa there was a fight at Ngarlikiurlangu between a ‘yankirri’ ancestor and Wardilyka (Australian bustard [Ardeotis australis]) ancestors over sharing the ‘yakajirri’. There is also a dance for this Jukurrpa that is performed during initiation ceremonies.