Nigel Japanangka Marshall, Lappi Lappi Jukurrpa, 76x61cm

• Aboriginal Artist - Nigel Japanangka Marshall
• Community - Yuendumu
• Aboriginal Art Centre - Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation
• Catalogue number - 8199/23
• Materials - Acrylic paint on linen 
• Size(cm) - H76 W61 D2
• Postage variants - Artwork is posted un-stretched and rolled for safe shipping
• Orientation - Painted from all sides and OK to hang as wished

The subject of this work is Lappi Lappi, a rock hole near Lake Hazlett, about 90 km northwest of Lake Mackay in Western Australia. The country belongs to Nampijinpa/Jampijinpa and Nangala/Jangala skin groups. Located in a sheltered basin, the rock hole at Lappi Lappi is a permanent source of water, and is surrounded by country rich in bush tucker. In the time of the Jukurrpa (Dreamtime) many mothers with young children would gather there because it was a safe place to stay. The rock hole at Lappi Lappi is home to a ‘warnayarra’, a rainbow serpent that travels underground between various rock holes. One day, women were gathered at the rock hole with their children, singing and dancing. When the ‘warnayarra’ heard the sound of voices, it travelled silently towards them, under the water. When it reached the edge of the rock hole, it rose out of the water and ate them all.

Nigel Marshall was born in Yuendumu in 1972 at the old hospital before it closed down. He is the Grandson of Kamalyarrpa Japanangka AKA 'Bullfrog', who was involved in the infamous Coniston Massacre of 1928. He is married to renowed Warlukurlangu Artist Julie Robertson and they have two children. Nigel supports the Western Bulldogs and he used to coach the Yuendumu Magpies under 18s. Kumpu is his traditional country and he paints Jungunpa or native mouse Jukurrpa. His mothers dreaming is Warlukurlangu.