Reva Nungarrayi Dickson, Snake Vine Dreaming - Purturlu, 61x46cm

The country associated with this ‘ngalyipi Jukurrpa’ (snakevine [Tinospora smilacina] Dreaming) is located at Purturlu (Mt. Theo), north of Yuendumu. The ‘kirda’ (owners) of this Dreaming are Napanangka/Napangardi women and Japanangka/Japangardi men. The ‘kurdungurlu’ (custodians) for this Dreaming are Nangala/Nakamarra women and Jangala/Jakamarra men.

‘Ngalyipi’ (snakevine) is a green creeper that climbs up the trunks and branches of trees and shrubs. The plant is found on sandy spinifex plains and sandhills. ‘Ngalyipi’ is frequently depicted in paintings due to its many uses and its great ceremonial importance. The vine can be used as a shoulder strap to carry ‘parraja’ (coolamons) and ‘ngami’ (water carriers). The plant also has medicinal uses; its vines are used as tourniquets, and its leaves and vines are used as bandages for wounds. Warlpiri sometimes also chew the leaves to treat severe colds. ‘Ngalyipi’ stems can be pounded between stones and tied around the forehead to cure headaches. In men’s initiation, ‘ngalyipi’ is used to tie the ‘witi’ (ceremonial poles) to the shins of the dancing initiates, and to tie ‘yukurruyukurru’ (dancing boards) to dancers’ bodies. The initiation ceremonies associated with the ‘ngalyipi’ Dreaming at Purturlu are for the sons and grandsons of Japanangka and Japangardi men. Napanangka and Napangardi women dance at these ceremonies, and then look away and block their ears when the men dance. This ‘witi’ ceremony is performed at night under the stars.

In Warlpiri paintings, traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa and other elements. In many paintings of this Jukurrpa, sinuous lines are used to represent the ‘ngalyipi’ (snake vine). Straight lines are used to represent the ‘witi’ (ceremonial poles) and ‘karlangu’ (digging sticks).

Reva Nungarrayi Dickson was born in 1966 in Yuendumu, a remote Aboriginal community located 290 km north-west of Alice Springs in NT of Australia. Reva attended the local school and left in Year 11. When she left school she worked for the Old People’s Program, a program that cares for the elderly by helping them when they are sick, and being with them when they are alone or when they are frightened during storms. Reva is now married and has a large family of her own to care for. She and her husband have 6 kids, and 7 grandchildren.

Reva has been painting for Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation; an Aboriginal owned and governed Art Centre, since 1993. She paints her Father’s Jukurrpa, in particular Ngalyipi Jukurrpa (Snake Vine Dreaming) and Mala Jukurrpa (Rufous Hare Wallaby Dreaming) from her father’s side. These dreamings relate directly to the land, its features and the plants and animals that inhabit it. They were passed down to her father by his father and his father’s father before him for millennia. Reva uses traditional designs and icons with an unrestricted palette to develop a modern interpretation of her traditional culture.

When Reva is not painting or looking after her grandchildren she likes to go hunting, especially for honey ants.

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