Nancy Nungarrayi Collins, Ngalyipi Jukurrpa (Snake Vine Dreaming) - Purturlu, 61x30cm

• Artist - Nancy Nungarrayi Collins
• Community - Yuendumu  
• Art Centre/Community organisation - Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation  
• Catalogue number - 1121/17
• Materials - Acrylic on canvas  
• Size(cm) - H61 W30 D2 
• Postage variants - Artwork posted un-stretched and rolled for safe shipping

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).

Nancy Nungarrayi Collins was born in Yuendumu, a remote Aboriginal community located 290 kms north-west of Alice Springs in the NT of Australia. She went to the local school and then studied through Batchelor College in both Alice Springs and Katherine where she trained as a teacher assistant. After she graduated she worked in her local school for many years. Nancy is the daughter of Ruby Nakamarra Collins, an artist working with Warlukurlangu Artists. She is married to Tommy Jangala Watson who is also an artist working with Warlukurlangu Art Centre. They have three children, a daughter, and two sons, one of which is adopted. Nancy has been working with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre located in Yuendumu, since 1995. Nancy mainly paints her father’s Jukurrpa stories, Dreamings that relate to her country, its features and its animals. When Nancy is not painting or looking after her children she loves to go hunting, especially for goanna but not for snakes! She also likes to visit her large extended family, those who live in the Central Desert Shire at Tennant Creek and Lajamanu.