Francie Ingkatji, Wanampi Tjukurrpa, 101x76cm

• Aboriginal Artist - Francie Ingkatji
• Community - Ernabella
• Aboriginal Art Centre - Iwiri Arts 
• Catalogue number - 388-22
• Materials - Acrylic paint on linen
• Size(cm) - H101 W76 D2
• Postage variants - Artwork posted un-stretched and rolled for safe shipping
• Orientation - Painted from all sides and OK to hang as wished

Wanampi is the Pitjantjatjara word meaning water serpent, water snake monster, or rainbow serpent. This is a story from Piltati, near Nyapari (on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara - APY - Lands in the remote north-west of South Australia). There's a special rock hole at Piltati where this creation story takes place. There are two wait (men), brothers and their wives. There's trickery and conflict, and the men change themselves into wanampi (water snakes). The story tells how the land was shaped and formed. The Wanampi ancestors are important to Anangu as they bring rain and life to the waterholes but the Wanampi can also kill intruders, taking their spirit.

Francie was born in Alice Springs and grew up in Ernabella. Francie's father, Gordon Ingkatji, was Ernabella's 'number one' storyteller and well-known artist. Francie first started painting with him at Nyapari before they moved to Ernabella. Francie is determined to continue her father’s legacy and follow in his artistic footsteps. Francie now lives in Ernaballa and paints at Iwiri when she's in Adelaide.

Iwiṟi was established by Aṉangu in 2018, many of whom had been forced to move to Adelaide due to chronic health conditions and lack of services in their home communities. Living far from their traditional homelands, Anangu were concerned about the cultural and social isolation they were experiencing and saw a need to act.  Iwiri was formed initially to help retain, promote and transmit Anangu culture and language through the areas of arts, language, knowledge and community. Since then Iwiṟi has grown rapidly into an organization that delivers  a range of programs that aim to strengthen and advance Aṉangu wellbeing.

Iwiri strengthens the Aṉangu community through cultural and arts activities, creating employment opportunities and enterprise development. We want our young people to be strong in their language and culture and to take up opportunities to work in our community.